HSBC Remove Affinity Banking Rates
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by bira
3y ago
HSBC has decided to unilaterally remove Affinity Banking rates with all its UK partners, not just Bira. Our understanding is the majority of members will not see an increase in banking costs when HSBC moves members over to their existing products.  If you are expected to be included in the minority that will see an increase, HSBC are in the process of contacting those members.  Please note for the purpose of privacy, HSBC cannot inform Bira who these affected members are. It is unfortunate that HSBC have decided to do this in the middle of a pandemic, but please be assured that we ar ..read more
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Indies could be stronger part of high street in the future, says Bira CEO
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Indies are resilient and could be an even stronger part of the high street than before the pandemic, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre told the Retail Gazette. Andrew spoke to the Gazette for a feature asking ‘Are we witnessing the end of retail empires?’, following the recent collapse of the Arcadia Group and Debenhams. Asked about the future of indie retail, he said that while it was a resilient sector, businesses needed to ‘continue to evolve and improve their digital footprint’. Read the full interview here Additional Guidance and Resources ‘Reopening date is good – but we need consistent support ..read more
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Extended business rates relief top of Bira’s Budget wish list
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Bira has revealed its wish list for next week’s Budget, with an extension to business rates relief a top priority. Bira is appealing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to consider the independent retail sector when he presents his Budget on Wednesday (March 3). The three measures Bira would like to see in the Budget are: Extension of the rates holiday for the whole of 2021/22 to support businesses while they return to return to normal when consumer confidence is fully restored Extension of the legal moratorium preventing landlords from taking action against tenants unabl ..read more
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Bira CEO to talk about future of independent business in webinar
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
British independent businesses in 2021 and beyond is the topic of a webinar featuring Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre.  The virtual event – on Friday (February 26) at 1pm – is part of Real Estate Live, in partnership with Aviva Investors and Barwell Business Park. Chair of the panel will be Claudette Forbes, director of CAF Consulting. Other panellists are Colin Lawrence-Waterhouse, asset manager, Aviva Investors; Kirsten Henly, chief executive, Kingston First; Duncan Brown, assistant director of regeneration, Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames; and a Barwell occupier (to be confirmed). Regis ..read more
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Scottish lockdown could end in last week of April
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
The lockdown in Scotland could be eased in the last week of April, it has been announced. Scotland will return to a tiered approach at this point, reopening of non-essential retails, gyms, hairdressers and restaurants in the regions with the appropriate levels of Covid-19. The announcement was made as part of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s exit out of lockdown plan. Ms Sturgeon says the last week of April should see a “phased but significant re-opening of the economy”. More plans are due to be unveiled in the middle of March. Yesterday, Boris Johnson revealed his exit road map for England, w ..read more
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‘Reopening date is good – but we need consistent support’, says Bira CEO
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
‘A date for reopening is good, but support for indies must be consistent and ongoing’, writes Bira’s CEO Andrew Goodacre. Yesterday, the Prime Minister set out his road map to recovery from lockdown including the date when non-essential retail will be able to reopen. Here, Andrew shares his views on the way forward, and the type of ongoing support indies will need to recover. “So, we have a date for re-opening the so-called ‘non-essential’ shops – April 12. It is good to have a date but it is very disappointing you cannot open before Easter. Many of you missed out on the busy festive period an ..read more
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Non-essential retail could reopen from April 12, says PM
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Non-essential retail could be allowed to reopen in England from April 12, 2021, according to a statement made by the Prime Minister today (Monday, February 22). Boris Johnson set out his exit roadmap from lockdown restrictions which includes a four-phase easing of restrictions starting with all pupils returning to school on March 8. From March 29, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed, along with 0utdoor sports, including football, golf and tennis. In the next phase, non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will reopen on April 12, if ..read more
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Webinars guide retailers through Brexit rule changes
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Retailers impacted by new customs and tax rules as a result of Brexit are invited to attend a series of webinars. The Government-led events are suitable for businesses which doing any of the following: buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU. The following hour-long webinars are available: Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods fr ..read more
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Bira ‘disappointed’ over delayed rates review
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Bira has expressed its disappointment the Government has postponed its review into the business rates system. It has been announced the final review document will now be published in the autumn – when there is more economic certainty. However, an interim report – which will include a summary of consultation responses – will be published on March 23, 2021. Bira has been campaigning for an overhaul of the outdated business rates system, and a levelling of the playing field between traditional bricks and mortar retailers and online companies. Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said: “It is disappointin ..read more
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Bira calls for immediate decision on business rates relief
British Independent Retailers Association | BIRA
by emilybridgewater
3y ago
Bira is asking the Government to reveal its decision on business rates relief before the Budget on March 3. Bira wants the Chancellor to extend the business rates holiday for another year – and do some immediately, giving indies retailers as much notice as possible to plan their finances. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to outline his ‘road map’ to recovery from national­­­ lockdown conditions on Monday (February 22, 2021) – and Bira would like the business rates decision to be made clear then. A business rates holiday was announced last year to support retailers through the pand ..read more
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