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The ACT and other IRC members meet with under-secretary of state Paul Scully MP to discuss the future on independent retail

7 Dec 2020

The meeting topics evaluated any lessons that we have so far learned from national lockdowns and ways in which we can move forward from this using government support.
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Indie Retail partners with The Behaviours Agency to create free posters encouraging shoppers to wear face coverings in stores

2 Dec 2020

A refreshed suite of posters developed to support retailers in encouraging shoppers to wear face coverings using behavioural science techniques. The posters are available free of charge for... Read more…

Three local bike shops commended in Best Small Shops competition 2020!

2 Dec 2020

Independent bicycle retailers in Bradford, Ipswitch and York have all been commended in this year's search for the Best Small Shop of 2020!
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Pablo Escobar's brother sues Europe's most valuable fintech company for millions

27 Nov 2020

Recent events have once again highlighted the growing concerns centred on the UK's growing use of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services.
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Worcester home and gift shop named as Britain's Best Small Shop of 2020

26 Nov 2020

A family run, independent, home and gift shop in Worcester has been named as Britain's Best Small Shop of 2020.
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Government Spending Review: The most relevant Spending Review policies to independent retailers

25 Nov 2020

The Chancellor presented his Spending Review to Parliament today settingout the Government's departmental spending plans for the year ahead andresponse to Coronavirus (Covid-19).
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IRC seeks extension to retailer eviction protection in Westminster Hall Debate

19 Nov 2020

IRC member enters debate to seek an extension to the moratorium onevictions within the Coronavirus Act 2020. Can you help us... Read more…

Indie Retail UK partners with TraffikFlo to help independent retailers manage social distancing

19 Nov 2020

Indie Retail are delighted to announce a partnership between themselves and the app-controlled window display sign TraffikFlo, enabling more shops to simply and effectively manage social... Read more…

BA Issues Open Letter Calling on Government to Reclassify Bookshops as Essential Retailers

10 Nov 2020

The Booksellers Association (BA) has today written to key government Ministers and selected Lords letter calling on the Government to classify bookshops as essential retailers therefore... Read more…

Black Friday spending expected to increase to £6 billion

9 Nov 2020

The overall spend across the UK will increase by £400 million from £5.60 billion projection in 2019
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BA Issues Open Letter Calling on Government to Reclassify Bookshops as Essential Retailers

Posted on in Business News

ThBAe Booksellers Association (BA), member of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) has today written to key government Ministers and selected Lords letter calling on the Government to classify bookshops as essential retailers therefore allowing them to reopen under current lockdown restrictions in England, and laying the groundwork for the essential designation to be implemented for future lockdowns.

The open letter, written by the Bookseller's Association MD, Meryl Halls, to Minsters at BEIS, HMCLG and DCMS outlines the many ways in which bookshops provide an essential contribution to society, from the proven links between reading and improved mental wellbeing, to providing educational resources to children and adults, to contributing to local economies.

The BA argues that the Christmas trading period is the most important time of year and can make or break the sustainability of a local bookshop. The BA draws on the example of garden centres being belatedly classified as essential due to them being deemed beneficial to the nation's health, while avoiding catastrophic losses should the sector have missed out on Spring trading.

The letter also highlights the inconsistencies within the current definitions of essential retail, underlining the commercial disadvantage faced by bookshops, with essential retailers that sell books being allowed to remain open, while booksellers themselves are forced to shut up shop.

Meryl Halls, MD at the Booksellers Association, said: "On behalf of our members, we urge the Government to categorise bookshops as essential retailers. Bookshops play a unique part in the culture of our country and books have a crucial role to play in the health and well-being of our population. Bookshops have been designated as essential in other countries, and the ‘essential' categorisation will acknowledge the crucial role that bookshops play in our culture, economy and wider society."

Echoing the words of Philip Pullman, Halls added: "Bookshops are lanterns of civilisation and, for many, beacons of hope. We urge the Government to consider classifying them as essential retailers."

The BA's open letter to Minsiters calling on bookshops to be classified as essential can be read in full here.

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