Trade body lauds gov't report on high street's future

The report identified the UK’s hospitality sector as “crucial” to the health and success of future town centres.

Trade body UKHospitality has lauded recommendations in a report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, following its inquiry into High Streets and Town Centres.

Recommendations to reform business rates include introducing an online sales tax, the receipts of which would offset business rates bills; a ‘holiday’ for high street retailers from rates increases which result from investments to improvements in property; and a reduction in business rates for retailers in high streets and town centres, which would have the additional effect of balancing competition from out-of-town shopping centres.

“Hospitality businesses lie at the heart of communities across the UK and play pivotal economic and social roles on UK high streets. The report gives due recognition to how crucial the sector is to the high street of the future, as they move away from the shopping-focus of the past,” UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said. “Policies to drive growth and regenerate high streets must have hospitality at their core and this needs to be recognised by the Government and local authorities.”