Independent research revealing that Labour faces electoral wipe-out unless it addresses high street decline has vindicated warnings from retailers and exposed the inadequacy of the government's pub-only business rates package, a leading trade association has said.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), said University of Southampton research showing high street decline as a top voter concern demonstrated that the government's decision to support only pubs was "fundamentally misdirected".
"This research supports everything we have been saying," said Mr Goodacre. "High street decline is now the third most important local issue for voters, yet the government's response is to help pubs – when only 32 per cent of pubs are actually on high streets. This proves that this government is not supporting high street growth or investment."
Mr Goodacre said the research's finding that improving shopping precincts ranked behind only healthcare and reducing crime demonstrated the political stakes of the government's approach.
"The study warns Labour will be 'washed away in a tide of discontent' unless it tackles high street decline," said Mr Goodacre. "Yet the Chancellor's response excludes the very businesses that define high streets – independent retailers who face identical pressures to pubs but receive no support."
The CEO said the Guardian analysis showing 8,000 fewer retail outlets since 2019 underlined the scale of the crisis facing high streets.
"We have the research, we have the data, and we have the warnings about electoral consequences," added Mr Goodacre. "What we don't have is a government willing to support the businesses that could actually reverse high street decline. Supporting pubs whilst excluding retailers is poor policy based on politics rather than what's good for local economies."