We're excited to back the #BusinessSOS campaign, alongside other BID partners across the UK. Calling on the government to do more to support businesses so they have every chance to survive following the rise in energy costs.
#BusinessSOS campaign: What is it about?
The newly formed #BusinessSOS campaign, founded by organisations representing over 150,000 retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses warns harm caused by the spiralling energy crisis is superseding the pandemic with the potential to cause irreversible damage to UK high streets and the economy.
The #BusinessSOS campaign believes mass closures and redundancies are inevitable if Government does not swiftly implement measures that alleviate the critical pressures that businesses, like households, have been facing since April 2022.
According to the #BusinessSOS, our business communities need:
A reduction in VAT headline rate from 20% to 12.5% and business energy bills from 20% to 5%
100% business rate relief until 31st March 2023
Energy rate relief on all business energy bills
What are others saying?
Matthew Sims, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and CEO of Croydon BID said,
“The new Prime Minister has days to save the high street as we know it. The impending announcement on how the Government will tackle the energy crisis facing businesses will either ensure businesses can remain trading or set in motion mass closures and redundancies. To say the energy crisis is worse that the pandemic is not an understatement, it is the reality facing businesses today and why the clock is ticking for the new Government to provide clarity and introduce measures providing tangible and immediate relief.”
Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management said,
“Right now, businesses are already deciding to scale back or shut up shop for good. The knock-on impact on employment is unimaginably bad. We need decisive action from the government now to save the high street."
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:
“The pub and brewing sector makes a huge contribution to our economy in high streets and local communities throughout the country, yet it still remains in a precarious position after the pandemic. Immediate action on energy is critical, but investment in our sector for the long-term is also essential. As the PM works towards a fiscal statement and full budget we hope she will seriously consider a cut to business rates and VAT so Britain’s pubs and brewers can get back on their feet fully and thrive in the communities they proudly serve.”
*The campaign is founded by Croydon Business Improvement District and Bart & Taylor with the support of the below organisations who collectively represent over 150,000 retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses:
· Association of Town and City Management
· British BIDs
· British Beer and Pub Association
· The BID Foundation
· Night Time Industries Association
· UKHospitality
· UKinbound
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