Health Stores UK welcomes the more positive economic outlook outlined by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in his Spring Budget this week, but is disappointed at the absence of fresh support for small retail businesses who continue to struggle with exceptionally challenging trading conditions.
Health Stores UK joint chair, Len Glenville, comments: “It’s encouraging to hear the more optimistic forecasts for the coming year, and the growing hope that Britain will avoid recession. If this optimism translates into some return of consumer confidence, that will clearly be helpful. But small, independent retail businesses, such as our members, face serious challenges right now. As new findings from the Local Data Company showed this week, indies are being impacted the most in the current climate. So, we are disappointed that the Chancellor’s package does not contain any fresh support for business like ours.”
“If this optimism translates into some return of consumer confidence, that will clearly be helpful. But small, independent retail businesses, such as our members, face serious challenges right now“
Len Glenville
Health Stores UK continues to work behind the scenes on these issues. Glenville continues: “Last month, we attended a meeting at which Kevin Hollinrake, the Business Minister for the Department For Business and Trade, was present. It was an opportunity for Health Stores UK, along with other retail groups, to make the Minister aware of work that still needs to be done on business rates, energy support and other measures to protect valuable local high streets.”
