BIRA UPDATE
Government funding boost welcomed by independent retailers
T
he British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has reported how independent retailers have welcomed government plans
to expand access to finance for small businesses, after the Chancellor confirmed a significant scaling up of support through the British Business Bank. Bira said the move could help ease long- standing barriers to finance faced by the sector. The reforms include an expansion of the
Growth Guarantee Scheme, which provides a government guarantee on commercial loans to small and medium sized businesses, alongside £500 million of funding through the ENABLE Guarantee programme to support innovative firms. The changes are expected to help thousands more small businesses access the finance they need to grow. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “We welcome the extra funding for this scheme and we really hope it will increase the access to funding for independent retailers. I often hear that lenders consider the sector to be ‘high risk’, and this scheme should go some way to mitigating this risk.” Mr Goodacre said independent retailers have often found it harder
than larger competitors to secure finance from mainstream lenders, and that any measures which improve that access are a welcome step for the high street.
Independent retailers welcome business rates reform pledge – but urge delivery over rhetoric
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), has reported how independent retailers have welcomed government plans to expand access to finance for small businesses, after the Chancellor confirmed a significant scaling up of support through the British Business Bank. Bira said the move could help ease long-standing barriers to finance faced by the sector. The reforms include an expansion of the Growth Guarantee Scheme,
which provides a government guarantee on commercial loans to small and medium sized businesses, alongside £500 million of funding through the ENABLE Guarantee programme to support innovative firms. The changes are expected to help thousands more small businesses access the finance they need to grow. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, commented: “We welcome the extra funding for this scheme and we really hope it will increase the access to funding for independent retailers. I often hear that lenders consider the sector to be ‘high risk’, and this scheme should go some way to mitigating this risk.” Mr Goodacre said independent retailers have often found it harder
than larger competitors to secure finance from mainstream lenders, and that any measures which improve that access are a welcome step for the high street.
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June/July 2026
housewareslive.net
Independent retailers welcome crackdown on high street organised crime
The British Independent Retailers Assocation (Bira) has welcomed government plans to introduce new legislation giving police and councils enhanced powers to shut down criminal businesses on the high street. The Home Secretary has announced a nationwide crackdown on
organised crime operating from high street premises including vape shops, barbers, nail salons and mini-marts, backed by £30 million in new funding. New secondary legislation to extend the maximum duration of closure orders is expected to be introduced by the end of 2026, alongside a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate the response across government. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “We welcome this new initiative
to tackle illicit shops on high streets throughout the UK. For too long the problem has been ignored, and legitimate independent retailers have been left to compete alongside businesses that are, in effect, funded by criminal activity. “We are keen to understand when these new powers will come into
force – our members need them as soon as possible.” Mr Goodacre also called for the landlord community to be brought
into the response. “We would like to see landlords engaged on this issue and, where necessary, mandated to carry out greater due diligence on prospective tenants and the source of their funds before agreeing a lease. Closing the door on criminal operators at the point of entry would make enforcement far easier further down the line.” The NCA estimates that at least £12 billion of criminal cash is
generated in the UK each year, with around £1 billion laundered through high street businesses. Bira said it would engage with the forthcoming consultation process and continue to press for the earliest possible implementation of the new measures.
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