Retailers call for reform of rates as high street suffers

Footfall at retail destinations fell by 2.9pc in February compared to a year ago, with high streets down 5.3pc, the worst figure for a year, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium and Springboard.

Helen Dickinson, director-general of the BRC, said the figures “underlines how important it is we keep our focus on reform of business rates to keep costs down”.

However, retailers are concerned that Mr Osborne intends to just tweak the existing business rates system and are pushing for a thorough overhaul of the tax.

Ms Dickinson said: “Reform will help high street retailers invest in their offer and attract more people out to the shops, supporting local jobs and benefiting the wider economy.”

The drop in retail footfall is the worst recorded since last March and significantly worse the 1.1pc decline for the last three months as a whole.

Despite footfall on the high street and shopping centres falling, footfall at out-of-town locations increased 2.3pc. This suggests that amid heavy rain shoppers chose to drive and park their cars at conveniently located retail destinations.

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