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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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IRC seeks extension to retailer eviction protection in Westminster Hall Debate

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

IRC member enters Parliamentdebate to seek an extension to the moratorium on evictions within the Coronavirus Act 2020.

The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) is a well-established organisation that brings together like-minded trade associations with interests in the small and independent retail sector. It currently represents c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK and provides a lobbying platform for increasing the profile and voice of independent retailing within Government and Parliament.

The IRC, led by member The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), are now calling for a further extension to the Business Tenancies (Extension of Protection from Forfeiture etc.) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 until the end of the financial year (5 April 2021).

On 23 March 2020, the UK government announced that commercial landlords would be prohibited from forfeiting commercial leases and evicting the tenant for non-payment of rent. This measure was further extended later in the year until 31 December 2020. These measures form part of the emergency Coronavirus Act 2020, enacted on 25 March 2020. 

The measures within the Act have previously been extended through legislation and we now seek a further extension to this.

The key asks are:

  • Tenants need protection from eviction in the form of a further extension to the existing moratorium until 5 April 2021 to reflect the continuing uncertainty of this financial year
  • Landlords and tenant must be obliged to negotiate before legal action can be taken
  • We need some kind of mediation / ADR service to deal with situations that have not been resolved
  • Code of conduct does not work and so we need to something stronger, maybe even a legal frameworks

The British Independent Retailers Association has also noted that their own research shows that after 1st lockdown, 24% of businesses did not re-open and this second lockdown could do even more damage because of the importance of this time of year for generating income. Add to this the potential threat of action from a landlord, stock to be paid for (and it may not have been sold), VAT and tax bills, we have a perfect storm of events that we close many perfectly good businesses.

The NHBF believes that extending the current eviction protection for businesses would save business owners from avoidable stress and worry over the Christmas period and beyond. Furthermore, the UK Government is continuing its work with lenders to ensure flexible support is provided to commercial landlords, including payment holidays and restructuring facilities to address and any potentially adverse implications to such an extension.

Independent retailers are the lifeblood of UK high streets, offering specialist products and services, knowledge and passion for their community. The IRC firmly believes that support such as protection from forfeiture during this most difficult period will allow businesses to come out the other side and once again be significant contributors to local economies.

If you have any evidence to contribute towards any of the points made above, please get in contact with us via info@actsmart.biz.

 

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