The GCA is involved in quarterly meetings with Paul Scully MP, secretary of state for small businesses. Issues raised by GCA members are added to the agenda for government response.
The meetings are hosted by the Indie Retail Confederation, a group of trade associations, including the GCA, who number independent retailers among their members. The IRC has met fortnightly since March 2020, working together to share information and support for our retailers during this unprecedented time.
Retailers who would like more information on any of the issues raised, or have issues they’d like the GCA to raise at the next meeting with the Minister, please contact the GCA
Meeting with small business Minister 2nd June 2021
The GCA met with small business Minister Paul Scully on the 2nd June 2021, along with other IRC members.
The Minister was keen for feedback from the trade associations about business on the High Street in the last few weeks; the levelling-off after the initial activity on opening was discussed. He reassured the meeting that the government were still working towards the 21st of June for the ease of final lockdown restrictions. A review of social distancing measures required will form part of this plan.
The meeting stressed the need for positive consumer messaging to support trade and encourage a full return to the High Street.
There was discussion about the complete lack of trade in the City of London, with some retailers reporting sales of only one or two items a day, with many more now closed. Paul Scully, also Minister for London, confirmed that the government were meeting with the Mayor later this week and also currently working on a “return to work“ piece that would be shared after 21st June.
Other topics discussed were:
- A plea for support from government for a delay to the rent and rate moratorium.
- The issue of the changes in export VAT rules coming in July, raised by Amanda Fergusson GCA ceo (see Brexit blog)
- Concerns about the change to permitted development rights on high streets, as proposed here, a plan led system and a sunset clause on PDR changes was discussed.
- The #ShopKind campaign, supported by many key retailers. #ShopKind is a new national campaign, funded by the Home Office, to help tackle the rise in verbal abuse and physical attacks on shop-workers. #ShopKind aims to build positivity and encourage kindness to both shop-workers and consumers in stores. The Minister confirmed that this has a high profile in government.
Meeting with small business Minister December 2020
GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson met with Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets and also Minister for London, along with leaders of other key trade associations in the IRC. The meeting was to discuss the impact of lockdown on High St retailers and support needed to rebuild business.
The Minister acknowledged the investment that had been made by retailers to ensure COVID19 safe trading environments, and was keen to emphasis the governments desire to ensure that non-essential retail remain open if possible. He acknowledged the need for clear consistent messaging from government, but also asked for support with messaging locally to encourage consumers to take responsibility for shopping safely. He said he was keen to work with the IRC and listen to our input.
Amanda spoke about the loss of Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day trade for the greeting card industry, leading into the importance of the Christmas trade affected during the 2nd lockdowns. In response to questions about online sales Amanda explained to the Minister that 90% of greeting cards are bought in a bricks and mortar store, and the fact that increases in online sales had not made up for lost sales.
The need for targeted relief for businesses effected most was discussed, and the issues of rent and rates. Again the Minister listened and said he was ‘sympathetic’ to the request to extend the moratorium on rents but that there needed to be an end date due to the impact on other areas of the economy. The need for urgent review of the rates system was also discussed, which the Minister acknowledged, and he invited the group to feed back further with ideas. The group also put forward the idea of a government voucher scheme, similar to the summer ‘eat out’ initiative, to support local retailers which the Minister noted.
