The British Independent Retailers Association has welcomed a decision by the Government to extend protection for businesses from aggressive debt collection.
The measures have been extended until September to prevent struggling retailers from eviction. The protection was due to expire at the end of this month (June 30).
Bira lobbied for the enhanced scheme after a members’ survey revealed that fewer than half of independent retailers who discussed rental payments with landlords during the UK-wide lockdown saw a positive outcome.
More than 80% (83.4%) of respondents to the poll said they had discussed rental payments with landlords but only 41% had received a positive response.
Almost one third (28.7%) said their landlords would offer them no help, while 3.7% said they were also being threatened with legal action.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said: “It was clear that retailers needed more protection and this moratorium goes some way to achieving that. We hope now that landlords will work with tenants to find a mutually acceptable solution.”
