Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street revival.
Bira praised the proposed rate cuts for retail shops, including independent cycling retailers, with rateable values below £51,000, which would affect approximately 13,000 properties, but urged the Welsh Government to be more ambitious with the level of relief offered.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "We strongly welcome the principle of reducing rates for smaller retail shops - this recognises that independent retailers are the backbone of vibrant high streets and need targeted support to compete with online giants.
"However, whilst we don't yet know how substantial these rate cuts will be, we urge the Welsh Government to be bold. In England, relief can reach 40%, but we'd like to see Wales go further - ideally matching the 75% relief we saw during Covid, which proved transformational for independent retailers."
Bira has raised concerns about the proposed higher rate threshold of £100,000, warning it could have unintended consequences for high street recovery.
Mr Goodacre explained: "We're worried about penalising shops with rateable values above £100,000. These aren't necessarily large chain stores - many are successful independent retailers who've invested in their businesses. There's a real risk these proposals could drive larger independent shops away from high streets altogether and deter others from expanding or investing."
The association is also calling for the scope of relief to extend beyond retail, arguing that high street revival requires a broader approach.
"Whilst retail is crucial, high streets depend on a mix of businesses bringing footfall," said Mr Goodacre. "We need clarity on whether service retailers are covered, and we believe hospitality businesses - which play a vital role in creating vibrant high streets - should also benefit from similar relief."
Bira is responding to the Welsh consultation, which runs until 12 August, and continues to campaign for comprehensive business rates reform across Britain.
"We welcome this consultation as a step in the right direction, but urge the Welsh Government to address our concerns to ensure these reforms genuinely revitalise high streets rather than inadvertently harming them," Mr Goodacre concluded.