Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to promote small independent shops.

Government recognises the Retail Sector is changing. We are committed to helping communities adapt and also supporting all parts of the retail sector during this change.

The industry-led Retail Sector Council provides a single source of strategic liaison between BEIS, on behalf of all relevant government departments, and retailers. All retail activity in the UK, including small independent shops, is represented on the Council.

The Council aims to accelerate positive change, increase the productivity of the sector, and ensure the sector remains robust and sustainable to continue providing a beneficial service to consumers and the community.

We have announced a £3.6 billion Towns Fund, including an accelerated £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, which will support local areas in England to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability. We are promoting small independent shops through initiatives such as the Great British High Street Awards, which has been won by Welsh High Streets for the past two years.

We are also supporting local leadership with a High Streets Task Force, giving high streets and town centres expert advice to adapt and thrive.

For one year from 1 April 2020, eligible small retailers will benefit from a 50% retail discount off their business rates bills. This is an increase on the one third off bills available through the retail discount scheme in 2019/20. In addition, the Government has doubled the threshold for 100% small business rates relief, meaning more than 675,000 of the smallest businesses, including many independent shops, pay no rates at all.