MPs shops report a ‘distress flare’ to country
The FPB has claimed that the powerful All Party Small Shops Group report ‘ High Street Britain 2015’ must be listened to and acted upon and not consigned to a shelf to gather dust.
The FPB said the report’s findings and recommendations are a distress flare alerting the Government and the public that the country will suffer unless action is taken now to save high street shops from extinction by 2015.
“The report is stark and compelling evidence that Britain is facing a defining moment in its retail history,’ said the FPB’s Chief Executive Nick Goulding.
“Its findings must not and cannot be ignored. Action is needed right here and right now to ensure small businesses can compete against the remorseless growth of the retail giants.
“The report rightly says that the loss of small shops will damage the UK socially economically and environmentally. Moreover it says that consumers and communities will suffer unless something is done to help independent shops compete.
“Restricted choice of products and shopping locations and higher prices are rightly identified as strong possibilities by 2015.”
The FPB, which gave evidence to the inquiry, applauded the scope of the inquiry’s recommendations which includes backing for two key FPB’s campaigns, first the closing of the Channel Islands VAT loophole and secondly an extension of the supplier code of practice to cover the non-food sector.
