Independent retailers across the UK are calling on Government to extend business rates relief in the Autumn Budget, warning that thousands of high street shops could be at risk without urgent action.
Five Co-op Wholesale partners – Bradley’s Supermarket in Leicester, Freshfields Market and Nisa Local Torridon Road in London, Nisa Local Dallam Stores in Warrington, and Proudfoot Supermarkets in Scarborough – have shared their experiences as part of Co-op’s On Your Corner, In Your Corner campaign, highlighting the human and economic impact of rising costs and uncertainty.
Together, their stories reveal a shared theme: that local, family-run shops are doing everything they can to keep communities connected and high streets alive, but can only continue to do so with meaningful support.
For Jack Matthews, fifth-generation owner of Bradley’s Supermarket Nisa Local in Leicester, business rates relief is essential to protect jobs and preserve local services.
“We’ve always played an important role in the community. For many elderly people, sometimes we’re the only conversation they have in a day, and we’re proud to play that role,” Jack said. “Without continued rates relief, we’d have to make tough choices around staffing and investment. This is an industry that needs people – technology can help, but it will never replace human connection.”
In Croydon, Freshfields Market owner Benedict Selvaratam has seen his rates bill triple overnight. As Chair of the Croydon Business Association, representing more than 350 local firms, he warns that the system is now “breaking the high street”.
“This isn’t a marginal cost. It’s a massive, structural hit. It changes how you think about hiring, investing, and even surviving,” he said. “Unless there’s meaningful reform, we’ll keep losing independent retailers.”
For Kaual Patel, who runs Nisa Local Torridon Road in Lewisham, the impact extends beyond the balance sheet. His store provides essential services including a post office, community donations and school support, but faces difficult decisions without rates relief.
“Rates relief helps us keep the doors open and maintain the vital services our community depends on,” Kaual said. “This nation was built on shopkeepers. Independent retailers aren’t just shops – we’re lifelines for communities.”
In Warrington, Mike Sohal, owner of Nisa Local Dallam Stores, says the pressure on small shops has never been greater.
“Rates relief is absolutely critical for us, especially right now,” he said. “Without it, it would be incredibly difficult to remain competitive. Supporting independent retailers isn’t just about keeping shops open – it’s about protecting jobs and ensuring communities continue to thrive.”
In Scarborough, Valerie Aston, Director at Proudfoot Supermarkets, agrees that rates relief is vital to keeping regional economies strong.
“Rates relief helps reduce operating costs, improves cash flow, and allows us to invest in our business for the future,” she said. “Independent retailers like Proudfoot create local jobs and preserve the unique character of the high street. The government should look at policies that support these businesses – they strengthen the economy and foster community resilience.”
Co-op Wholesale is urging the Government to commit to the maximum levels of business rates relief in the Autumn Budget and implement changes swiftly to give independents the certainty they need to survive and grow.
