The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling for new measures to protect high street traders.

It follows recent data from both the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), which reveals high street recovery from the impact of Covid-19 remains slow.

The measures have also been set out to mitigate the potential risk of further local or national lockdowns.

They include:

• Confirmation from the government that business rates will not be reintroduced in April 2021.
• Consideration and implementation of a voucher scheme similar to the Eat Out to Help Out initiative in the run-up to Christmas.
• Support for retailers looking to launch or expand their online presence.

Bira also wants to reassure customers that shopping is safe.

Commenting is Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO. “The evidence suggests that retail is not a catalyst for spreading the disease. I want to remind people shopping is safe and that retailers have safety measures in place.”

Goodacre is now advising Bira members – as well as other independent retailers – to use the opportunity to make their premises feel safer and even more personal.

For further information on Bira, please click here.