BRIGG is a town universally acclaimed for the quality and quantity of its small independent shops - maintaining its market town characteristic.
But, according to prospective Brigg MP, Andrew Percy, these independent retailers are under threat. They face a rising burden of regulation and tax, a daily battle against crime and violence, and competition from the growth of out-of-town shopping ce
ntres. I
t is estimated 2,000 shops close every year across Britain.
He has signed up to the Conservative Party’s ‘Support Our Small Shops’ campaign, which aims to keep small shops at the heart of local communities.
Business rates are universally unpopular with small shops and businesses, often the third most significant overhead, and they are fixed, regardless of how well or badly a business is doing. So in a recession, business rates can push a firm over the edge.
Many small shops are entitled to relief from business rates – yet more than half of firms don’t claim the money they’re entitled to because they don’t know about it or because it’s too complicated.
The relief could save shops up to £1,100 a year.
Mr Percy says a Conservative government would make Small Business Rate Relief automatic, providing help straight away and cutting the fixed overheads of small businesses each and every year.
He said, “The centres of many of our town have suffered a gradual but persistent decline over the past few decades. The most obvious symptom of this has been the near disappearance of the independent small retailer from our high streets. They provide diversity, interest and a level of personal service that is sometimes missing in out-of-town shopping centres.
“We need to restore the health of our small shops by helping business owners with the cost of their annual rates, which can sometimes be crippling.”
