SPRING 2019 HIGH STREETS HUB The Federation of Small Businesses campaign urges government to give struggling retail firms a shot in the arm The West Midlands is facing a time of huge change, with the implementation of high-speed train line HS2, and the Commonwealth Games heading to Birmingham in 2022. These events will create untold opportunities to increase footfall on the regions high streets but spiralling rates, increasing rents, high parking charges, poor infrastructure and the loss of vital banking services are all taking their toll on small retailers. In addition, there are the soaring costs of employing staff, and competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres. While the traditional high street is changing and there is no quick fix for its problems something clearly needs to be done to lessen the pressure on small firms. Thats why the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set up its High Streets Hub, to show how central and local government in England can help town centres to flourish again. As well as calling for a freeze on rates from April, when the next inflation-linked rise is due, the FSB is using the Hub to make targeted recommendations for how policy-makers can offer a lifeline to the small retail sector. These include changing the business rates system in England. The Hub covers the following themes: nCreating fairer business rates for high streets and beyond nBuilding a simple system for businesses to appeal rates bills nAbolishing rates relief that penalises small business expansion into additional premises nEncouraging free parking, and maintaining road networks that support high streets and their customers nPutting in place measures to safeguard access to cash and banking services. The FSB also wants the government to introduce a 1,000 business rates discount for local shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, to give high streets a shot in the arm. Many business support packages available to small firms exclude retail, and the FSB believes more could be done to help retailers by making high streets increasingly attractive to shoppers and investors. For example, empty units could be offered on a shared basis to home-based businesses, which are often the ones unable to afford the rents and rates of a lease on a shop. Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses Image: iStock / Terryfic3D To find out more about the campaign and how it could help your business, visit the High Streets Hub. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service