Representing independent cookshops and housewares stockists, Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) is calling on the Government to provide more support for indie businesses forced to close if staff need to self-isolate.
The plea follows the PM’s recent announcement about the opening up of England on July 19, and the end of most Covid restrictions, while self-isolation rules for fully vaccinated individuals are not due to change until August 16.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s ceo comments: “As a sector we are looking forward to restrictions being lifted, which will hopefully result in more people visiting the high streets throughout the UK. However, there is some nervousness as we have become use to high number of cases resulting in lockdown, and whilst we accept that we have to live with this virus, it will take time to readjust the approach and the thinking.”
Andrew continues: “As cases rise, we are seeing more people forced into self-isolation for 10 days and unable to work. This situation may force the business to close, through no fault of the business owner.”
BIra has called for the Government to review the track and trace system and the need to self-isolate, as many retail staff will be in the yet-to-be-vaccinated age bracket. The association also wants local authorities to be able to use money from the Restart Grants to support the businesses forced to close. “New data shows local authorities have almost £1bn of Restart Grants to distribute. If this is truly excess money, it still needs using in a productive way to ensure the high street recovery continues,” explains Andrew. “If Restart Grants cannot be used, there need to be new funds made available for hard-hit business owners to claim; ten days closure with no income, will be hard to many fragile businesses to sustain.”
Andrew added: “As we learn to live with the virus and we ask people to take responsibility, we must not forget the support needed to business that are currently being responsible by self-isolating and closing down if required to do so I hope the Government will accept that one ‘final push’ is needed to protect the livelihoods of hard working independent retailers and businesses on the high street in general.”
Top: Self-isolation means ten days’ closure for some independent retailers. Photo: Miguel Montejano.
