SEPTEMBER TRADE NEWS Norfolk locals petition against Tesco expansion BHF to have first female president Popularity of online retail set to grow Yorkshire traders rally in face of recession Small retailers stand by out-of-vogue cheques JJB Sport bemoans 'worst retail slump ever Planning regulations hit mom-and-pop stores Chester retailers fear 'death of city centre' Confusion abounds over latest Nokia offering Grimsby shopkeepers slam cigarette display ban Local shops in Crowborough brace for Tesco Consumers 'intolerant' of e-tailer glitches Retailers urge EU to scrap footwear tariffs Rise of the mega-mall 'decimates high streets' Manchester SMEs miss out on rate relief NECC moves to help flood damaged retailers New confectionery wholesaler in Liverpool Credit crunch drives Christmas shoppers online Newsagents slam Independent margin change Analysts predict September sales slump Upbeat London retailers buck national trend Call to reform high street parking policies Cheltenham residents back anti-Tesco campaign Retailers ramp up pressure for rent reform Retail spending 'remains in growth territory' Minimum wage increase hurts small retailers House & garden wholesalers escape property slump BRC slams predicted business rate spike MPs back Think Smallest First initiative Expert trumps opportunities in overseas markets Fears Swansea PO closure will harm local shops Norfolk residents celebrate blocked Tesco bid Next sees no improvement in consumer spending East Sussex town launches own currency Wet August dampens retails sales Wholesaler, Makro, fined over shopper's injuries Blackpool Council warns illegal street traders High street braces for 'cautious Christmas' Rate hold accepted but not welcomed Loyalty card revealed for retailers Brighton's shopping centre helps retailers Blaming the internet for slumping high street sales 'is wrong' Birmingham retailers work together to improve city centre Retailers' protests stop pedestrianisation plan Wholesale businesses report slowing sales Out-of-county traders blamed for selling fakes Norwich wholesaler hit by criminal gang Importer loses House of Lords case Photographs highlight plight of small retailers Essex residents warned about counterfeit goods New high street plan approved in Chelmsford Trade News Archive September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 1st September 2008 Photographs aim to highlight plight of independent retailers The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a new photographic tour which aims to highlight the plight of small independent shops across the country. Sponsored by the Arts Council England, the tour aims to use photographs to illustrate the importance of independent retailers. In each town the tour visits, the photos will be displayed in disused shops to "echo how the spaces could be better utilised". John Wright, the FSB's national chairman, said that independent businesses were "coming under pressure from a combination of factors", including the current economic climate. "Local shops are the heart of our communities," he explained. "With over 2000 shops closing each year, the Keep Trade Local tour will ensure people in town centres are discussing ways to keep them alive." Maxine Beuret, one of the photographers whose work will be on display, added: "These small shops offer a personal service because they have an understanding about the product they are selling that big chains just don't. "The shopkeeper can give you the knowledge about the product they are selling, be it a cut of cheese or vintage dress, because such products are almost always locally sourced and hand-picked." (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story