|
Trade News Archive 2009 January February March April May
Subscribe to our newsletter Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory
28th May 2009
Retailers 'need more help from government'
Most high street retailers are managing to survive despite the economic gloom, but the government could do more to help them by reducing tax and bureaucracy.
That is according to the Yorkshire Post, which suggested that a significant number of retailers in the area are actually thriving.
However, the newspaper called on the government to act quickly in order to "nurture any small green shoots" that appear, suggesting that current measures often hinder rather than help.
Smaller retailers would prefer the government to restore rate relief on empty properties rather than pursuing supplementary business rates and maintaining a VAT cut that boosted administrative costs for many traders, the Post claimed.
It questioned the promotion of Business Improvement District taxes, which were reportedly set to fund security and infrastructure improvements in the towns of Skipton and Royston, but have yet to deliver.
"Tax is one of many issues adding to the spiralling costs and barriers to trade threatening the survival of small businesses on the high street," the newspaper said.
It also highlighted the dominance of out-of-town supermarkets and the tendency of local authorities to increase high street parking prices as things the government should address to protect retailers.
Meanwhile, Green Party councillor Jillian Creasy has questioned the need for a £1 million shopping development in Sheffield, instead urging the city to make use of empty shops, the local Telegraph reports.
(c) 2009
Comment on this news story
Trade News Archive 2008 December November October September August July June May April March February January
|
