Calls for empty business rates relief to be extended to 12 months
The British Property Federation (BPF) has called on the government to extend the period of business rates relief to 12 months and reintroduce a 50% rate cut for long-term empty stores in a bid to revitalise the high street. Owners of vacant shops currently have a three-month exemption from business rates to upgrade stores as […]
Food prices drop for the first time in two years
Competition between supermarkets has led to the first monthly drop in food prices for more than two years, an industry body has said. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said prices in September were down 0.1% from the previous month. Prices of dairy goods, margarine, fish and vegetables – which are often own-brand lines – all […]
Data shows ‘Tourist tax’ costs the UK £10.7bn in lost GDP & deters 2m tourists a year
The “tourist tax” is costing the UK £10.7bn in lost GDP and deterring two million tourists per year, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed. The economic consultancy found the extra sales generated by reinstating VAT-free shopping for tourists would outweigh losses associated with sales tax refunds by £2.3 billion in 2023. […]
Government to relax planning rules to create more city centre homes
The levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, says he wants to make it easier to convert empty retail premises and betting shops into flats and houses. It comes as Rishi Sunak insists his party will meet its commitment to building a million homes before the next election, expected in 2024. A report by the Commons housing […]
Tourism rise sparks new calls for return of tax-free shopping
A rise in tourism has sparked new calls for the government to u-turn on its decision to remove tax-free shopping for overseas customers. British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said the government must take advantage of the summer surge by “reintroducing VAT relief for overseas visitors to boost the UK’s attractiveness compared with other […]
Two of SHW’s young stars shortlisted for the South East Young Professionals Award
SHW’s Matt Morris and Peter Sylvester have been shortlisted for the inaugural South East Young Professionals Awards. The Awards recognise the achievements of young professionals from Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Thames Valley and the Solent area, for individuals under 35 years old who are making a significant impact in their respective industries. A panel of expert […]
UK economy boosted by £1.4 billion as longer lorries roll out on roads
Longer lorries will be introduced to Great Britain’s roads to support the government’s priority to grow the economy, boost productivity, slash road emissions and support supply chains. The longer lorries will be able to transport fast-moving consumer goods and retail products, as well as waste packaging, parcels and pallets. These new lorries will move the […]
New multi-million-pound retail park planned for Horsham with ‘global brand’ shops
Fresh plans are being drawn up to build a multi-million-pound retail park – to include new global brands – on the edge of Horsham. West Sussex County Council wants to site the retail park as part of a regeneration scheme of a former council depot near Tesco’s in Broadbridge Heath. It says it would bring […]
London Gatwick Airport recovers strongly in 2022
London Gatwick Airport has today published its financial results for 2022, and recognising the urgent need to make net zero a reality has accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This commitment is aligned with both VINCI […]
Lidl to invest £4bn into British food industry in 2023
Lidl GB has unveiled plans to invest £4 billion in British food businesses in 2023, as the value supermarket cements its support for suppliers across the country. This accelerates initial spending plans unveiled in 2019, which saw the German retailer commit to a five-year £15 billion investment in the British Food Industry from 2020 to […]