#business rates

#business rates

John Vincent said the upcoming rises in business rates along with overall cost increases means the High Street is no longer as profitable. Leon has been losing 10m a year. Vincent, an original co-founder of the chain, bought the company back from Asda last year. But last month the firm appointed administrators and announced a major restructuring of its 71 restaurants, which employ 1,000 people.

We have a history of looking after senior party members on both sides but I fully support this latest initiative. I feel the lives of Labour MPs should be hindered and diminished like they are doing to ours. I don't think they are all evil. Most are just naive and ideologically stupid. If the entire country refuses to do business with them perhaps they will get the message.

Wage rises, holiday taxes and monumental increases in rateable values have put even further pressure on hospitality businesses, as a result of this Budget. A 5p business rates discount is simply not enough to offset these costs and redress the damage it will do to business viability and job opportunities. This is exactly why we called for the government to use the maximum possible discount it had the power to implement, which could have genuinely delivered lower business rates.

While overall footfall fell for the sixth consecutive month, there was some good news on High Streets, which saw positive shopper traffic after a disappointing September. With consumer confidence remaining weak ahead of the possibility of a tax-raising Budget, many households have stayed away from shopping centres and retail parks. However, a Friday Halloween brought some welcome relief, delivering a late-month boost for retailers.

The health of high streets across the country has varied significantly, with areas like Bradford, Newport, and Blackpool showing double the empty shops compared to London.