The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) urges UK councils to adopt targeted business rate relief schemes to support struggling high streets, following Barnsley Council’s £5 million initiative.
Barnsley’s plan, set to launch in April 2025, will grant 100% business rate relief to qualifying retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses for a year. Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre called it a model for other councils, arguing that surplus business rate revenue should be reinvested in local businesses.
Independent retailers face mounting financial pressure from rising costs, reduced tax relief, and higher National Insurance contributions. Goodacre warned that without intervention, more businesses could be forced to close.
