Following Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £30bn package to help the UK economy respond to the coronavirus, announced in last week’s Spring Budget, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said that it will help its members access the emergency funds offered by the Government in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Bira is now guiding its members on how to access the help which includes:
- Business rates abolished for one year for retailers and cafe owners in England with a rateable value of below £51,000
- Sick pay payments refunded to small retail businesses with fewer than 250 staff for up to 14 days absence for anyone suspected to have coronavirus
- ‘Business Interruption’ loans of up to £1.2 million for small retail businesses
- £3,000 cash grant for any company not eligible for small business rates relief
- New HMRC helpline for businesses concerned about paying its tax bill
- Above: Andrew Goodacre, ceo, Bira.
Explains Bira’s ceo Andrew Goodacre: “Bira asked the Government for an emergency business fund to support independent retailers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and they listened, with the Government making a real effort to support small businesses. However, we remain concerned for those retailers with a rateable value of above £51,000, especially those with less than 250 employees. These are also small retail businesses but they are not getting much help, if any.”
He continued: “We would also like to see Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland agree to match the changes to business rates set out for England.”
Bira confirmed that it will be keeping its members up-to-date with the latest health and safety advice.
Top: Bira will be supporting its members in accessing Government help during the coronavirus pandemic.
