The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the decision to extend protection for businesses from aggressive debt collection and eviction.

The government announced it has extended measures to prevent struggling retailers from eviction until September. The protection was due to expire on 30 June.

Bira lobbied for the enhanced scheme following an exclusive members’ survey revealing less than half of independent retailers who discussed rental payments with landlords during the UK lockdown saw a positive outcome.

More than 80% (83.4%) of respondents to the poll had discussed rental payments with landlords. However, just 41% had received a positive response.

Almost one third (28.7%) said their landlords would offer them no help. Plus, 3.7% said they were being threatened with legal action.

Commenting is Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO. “Bira welcomes the extension to the moratorium. In a recent members’ survey, 80% of respondents had tried to negotiate with landlords and 60% of landlords had refused.

“It was clear that retailers needed more protection. This moratorium goes some way to achieving that. We hope now that landlords will work with tenants to find a mutually acceptable solution.”