Bira chief Andrew Goodacre calls on Downing Street to do more for independent retailers and review “special treatment” for hospitality
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called for greater business rates relief for the high street, after pubs, clubs and live music venues were handed a further 20 per cent cut.
The association, which works with over 6,000 independent retailers across the UK, said other high street businesses have been left behind while the hospitality sector continues to receive “special treatment”.
On 23 July, newly minted Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a relief package for hospitality businesses that will come into effect from April 2027. The cut comes on top of the 15 per cent relief already announced.
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “Once again pubs, clubs and music venues are being given special treatment on business rates. This follows the discount they were given after last year’s disastrous changes to the system.
“My question is straightforward: what about the rest of the high street, where other businesses have seen a 15 per cent increase this year and their business rates bills have more than doubled since 2024?”
Downing Street said the rate cut could save a typical pub an estimated £1,100 on its business rates bill next year, with nearly 32,000 venues expected to benefit. The cut is expected to cost around £100 million and will be funded through a review of business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops.
“If the Prime Minister is serious about revitalising high streets, he cannot only support pubs,” Andrew added. “Some 17,000 shops closed in 2025, while many thousands of jobs were lost, and that number will keep rising if these businesses continue to be overlooked.”
