Indie retailers have expressed frustration after news that the government is expected to ease business rates increases for pubs in England, warning that without fair support many stores will struggle to remain viable.
Kent-based Nishi Patel was deeply frustrated and unimpressed by the move. “We are all facing higher costs at the moment. I’m not sure why we aren’t getting relief as well,” said the owner of Londis Bexley Park
“Last year, we all struggled with the number of cost increases we had to endure and this will only get worse with higher business rates from April.”
Nishi said these cost increases would be passed on to the consumer because retailers can’t continue to “bear the burden of higher taxes”.
Meanwhile, Ian Lewis of Spar Minster Lovell “fully understands” why pubs are being supported, but said it’s hard not to feel frustrated that indie retailers are “once again being left to absorb rising costs alone”.
“Shops like mine are facing higher business rates, increased wages, energy costs and supplier prices, all at the same time,” explained Ian.
“If the government genuinely values high streets and local communities, support needs to be fair and consistent. Independent retailers are just as essential as pubs, and without meaningful relief many will struggle to remain viable.”
In Kislingbury, Vidur Pandya said the government is “cherry-picking different sorts of industries”.
“They’ve picked pubs, but what about small restaurants, takeaways, or even bars who still have to pay business rates?
“Convenience stores are at the heart of the community. We’re probably the only social place for the elderly – we’re a safe space - and with more rates being added it’s another burden on retailers to incorporate that extra tax into our pricing.”
Vidur said pubs and convenience stores both offer a very similar community-driven space. “A pub landlord is normally key in the community, very similar to a convenience store owner,” he added.
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