High Street Retailers call for local MP support

Retailers across the UK are calling on local MPs to make helping

high streets one of their top priorities in 2013. Backed by The British Retail Consortium, retailers are urging for a halt in high street suffering as research shows that two-thirds of MP’s believe high streets to have noticeably deteriorated in the past five years.

New BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: "MPs understand that high streets are focal points for communities and essential to local economies. But many high streets are facing a real endurance test in these challenging times, and rising operating costs are making matters worse.

"The Autumn Statement didn't include a pledge to freeze business rates next year, but there's still time for the Government to do the right thing. Another steep rise would pose a serious threat to vulnerable town centres and mean fewer jobs, especially for young people.

"Two-thirds of MPs have already told us that they support a rates freeze next year – I urge them to keep pushing for change if they want to breathe life back into our town centres and preserve and protect local businesses."