The Retailer Winter 2018/19

Business Rates Reliefs

2019 will bring political change. What we rating experts hope for, is that the Government, of whatever persuasion, grasps the rating nettle. It is also important that the retail sector finds a unified voice. I believe the main reason the Government has presided over such a rating debacle in recent years is because there have been many different calls for change and vested interests have focussed on different areas of concern. Clearly the Federation of Small Business has been very successful in asking for relief for smaller retailers, but undoubtedly this has this been at the expense of larger retailers who have not benefitted from the proposals in the Chancellor’s last Budget (Box 2). Has food retail sat shoulder-to-shoulder with high street retailer? Probably not. And where does out-of-town sit with the high street? Some retailers with little online presence have a different view to those with a much greater multi-channel offering – but ultimately if that lobby and voice is not united everyone will lose out. So, 2019 does provide something of a silver lining - but action and engagement is needed by retailers and their agents. Sitting back and waiting is not an option.

RV less £12,000 a year- 100% relief RV £12,000 - £14,999 – Tapered relief RV Under £51,000- Rate bills cut by a third in certain circumstances.

JHON WEBBER // John.Webber@colliers.com // colliers.com

the retailer | winter 2019 | 21

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