The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has written to the Welsh Government ahead of the budfget announcement on December 13.
The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has highlighted the struggle independent retailers and the high street have suffered since 2020 and the pandemic - and has asked leaders to offer extra support for them.
In a letter addressed to the Welsh governement, BIRA's CEO Andrew Goodacre asked them to 'address the burden of business rates' to allow the independent businesses to succeed.
The move comes after the Chancellor announced in his autumn statement a £13.6 billion package of support for business rates payers in England. This is to protect businesses from rising inflation the multiplier will be frozen in 2023-24 while relief for 230,000 businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors was also increased from 50% to 75% next year.
To help businesses adjust to the revaluation of their properties, which takes effect from April 2023, the Chancellor also announced a £1.6 billion Transitional Relief scheme to cap bill increases for those who will see higher bills.
Mr Goodacre said: "We have seen action taken by the Chancellor, but obviously I am aware that business rates is a devolved responsibility. However, for retail businesses in England, next year we will see the multiplier fixed, a removal of downward transitional relief and an increase in the retail and hospitality discount (increased from 50% to 75%). These are important measures that will support large and small retail businesses who are facing a toxic environment of spiraling costs and falling demand.
"I would love the see the Welsh government adopt the same approach and implement the same measures. Your government was incredibly supportive during the Covid pandemic, and at times often doing more to support small businesses than the UK government."
