The government’s pledge to pressure banks to ease up lending to small businesses is welcomed by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira).

On 1 April, Business Secretary Alok Sharma called on high street lenders to ease access to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS) for small independent retailers.

His intervention follows reports from some businesses that their banks were making it increasingly difficult to access the loan scheme. Many of Bira’s members are also voicing the same problem.

Findings from a recent Bira members’ survey reveal of those who had applied for the CBILS, only 1% had been successful so far. Many are still waiting for a response.

Mr Sharma is also urging local authorities to speed up the availability of grant money for small businesses.

Commenting is Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO. “We were shocked and disappointed that so few of our members had been able to access the money available to them when they are so desperately in need. We called on the government to take action and in the Business Secretary’s statement, it shows they are listening to Bira.

“Bira will continue to lobby the government, banks and local authorities to make pledged cash quickly and easily available for our members and the wider independent retail community.”

Bira has set up a new coronavirus hub via its website. Offering daily updates, the aim is to help members and the wider independent retail community through the crisis. Click here for the latest news.

For further information on Bira, please click here.