Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Finnbarr Webster/Getty ImagesThe coronavirus pandemic has meant a brutal period for high street retailers, many of which were struggling before last spring as more and more consumer sales moved online.
More unemployment results in less council tax being paid, so councils can hardly afford a reduction in business rates (half of which goes to central government anyway). Local councils will simply be blamed for the economic mess in their area, as people will forget funding cuts.
Turn downtown retail space to residential /leisure/community for single or retired people/ make it easy for pop up shops - no help for Phillip Green remove his knighthood / help for all employees / it is almost guaranteed that the owners will benefit financially from any aid
The real issue is the sizes of the buildings and costs. Smallers sized retailers with many more stores aren't doing that bad.
oliviakingia All going to plan, then.
Retail has been at risk for the past decade, the pandemic has just exacerbated something that was sadly already happening.
Perhaps what's needed is an urgent programme for converting large, unwanted town centre buildings into dwellings for otherwise homeless people; and teaching those people the required construction skills as we do it.
thank you very much for your work
But I thought giving tax breaks to the rich answerd all American problems. 🙄