Fed Welcomes Burnham pledge to help small shops on business rates

The Fed has welcomed comments made by Andy Burnham MP – ahead of his likely appointment as Prime Minister this month – promising to prioritise reform of business rates, favouring high street businesses, including small retailers like many Fed members. The Fed has repeatedly raised concerns about rising business rates in recent months.

Mr Burnham has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and was planning to visit Fed member and National Vice President, Craig Etchells, at his business in Chorlton in Manchester in September, where they were due to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing retailers, including rising business rates. However, following his election to the Makerfield constituency in June, the meeting was cancelled – though the Fed plans to reinvite him soon.

In his first major speech following his return to Westminster politics – at the People’s History Museum in Manchester – Andy Burnham said he wanted to “… support all places to turn around towns, high streets and local centres, increasing footfall on the high street and protecting more green spaces from development.

“To reinforce that, we will reform business rates to support pubs and high street businesses, businesses that bring social benefits to our communities. And let me finish by saying this. Rather than being a marker of decline, shouldn’t we make our high streets the symbols of Britain’s renaissance”.

Fed National President, Hemanshu Patel, said, “The Fed has been working hard to ensure that the Government understands the challenges an increasing number of our members face in dealing with rising business rates. Following reforms in April, which saw many members losing Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief brought in during the pandemic, combined with a radical business rates revaluation, bills for many have gone up.

“Bricks and mortar retailers often face higher relative bills than online out of town retailers that can locate where they like. We know this is a challenging matter, given how much revenue business rates brings the exchequer but we are calling for necessary reform and will be interested to see what he can deliver. We hope to discuss this matter further with Mr Burnham after he becomes Prime Minister.”