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Help is at Hand
Listed under: Retail Clinic
Published: Friday, February 01, 2008
With organisations lobbying for the rights of the small retailer, make sure you're doing your bit in the battle against the big boys, says Phil McCabe
We're all aware of the pressures on independent retailers, especially in light of predictions for a tough year ahead. “High street shops are facing great difficulty from the predatory power of the supermarkets and chain stores,” says Phil McCabe of the Forum of Private Business (FPB). “As supermarkets move further from their food market into areas such as clothing and craft supplies, it is going to be more of a struggle for the smaller traders to compete.”
However, support does exist for the independent cause. The FPB this week welcomed the first reading of the Retail Development Bill, which proposes the provision of additional help to those running or hoping to establish small businesses. Introduced in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrat's Lord Cotter, the bill requires local authorities to establish support schemes for small shops. “The Retail Development Bill would be a very positive move and we are pushing for it to go ahead,” says Phil. “The help from this will be two-fold. Firstly, it will make it necessary for local authorities to provide advice on the different forms of store ownership that are available, such as co-operatives. What is just as important however, if not more so, will be improved financial assistance. This will be especially welcome as supermarkets continue to move into the markets that were traditionally the preserve of small businesses.”
As Phil points out, there are also ways that independent retailers can prepare themselves in the mean time. “Most importantly, make sure that you're getting the right price for your essentials, such as electricity and gas,” he says. Utility Options, which searches for the best rates, is one of a myriad of services offered by the FPB to small businesses. Phil continues, “You should also be up to date on issues such as employment law.” It is imperative to arm yourself with the knowledge to keep your business one step ahead.
What about help where it really counts – in the coffers? “Financially, there are various grants already available, but these are rarely taken up,” says Phil. “Seek the right advice. Organisations such as the FPB can help, but this is still a drop in the ocean. The Government could go further, by placing small businesses at the heart of enterprise policy.”
However, support does exist for the independent cause. The FPB this week welcomed the first reading of the Retail Development Bill, which proposes the provision of additional help to those running or hoping to establish small businesses. Introduced in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrat's Lord Cotter, the bill requires local authorities to establish support schemes for small shops. “The Retail Development Bill would be a very positive move and we are pushing for it to go ahead,” says Phil. “The help from this will be two-fold. Firstly, it will make it necessary for local authorities to provide advice on the different forms of store ownership that are available, such as co-operatives. What is just as important however, if not more so, will be improved financial assistance. This will be especially welcome as supermarkets continue to move into the markets that were traditionally the preserve of small businesses.”
As Phil points out, there are also ways that independent retailers can prepare themselves in the mean time. “Most importantly, make sure that you're getting the right price for your essentials, such as electricity and gas,” he says. Utility Options, which searches for the best rates, is one of a myriad of services offered by the FPB to small businesses. Phil continues, “You should also be up to date on issues such as employment law.” It is imperative to arm yourself with the knowledge to keep your business one step ahead.
What about help where it really counts – in the coffers? “Financially, there are various grants already available, but these are rarely taken up,” says Phil. “Seek the right advice. Organisations such as the FPB can help, but this is still a drop in the ocean. The Government could go further, by placing small businesses at the heart of enterprise policy.”
