High Streets UK, a new coalition of leading Business Improvement Districts from nine major cities, was founded earlier this year with one goal in mind – to raise the profile of flagship high streets and push for change on the most pressing issues facing these important hubs of economic activity.

Our group collectively represents over five thousand businesses, contributing more than £50bn in GVA. Yet, the full potential of these locations has yet to be realised, hindered by challenges including an unwieldy business rates system, the absence of tax-free shopping, a rigid planning system and a rise in retail crime.

We know the role that flagship high streets can play in driving national recovery – our job is to come together to find solutions to the challenges outlined above and ensure flagship high streets are at the heart of any future growth plans.

Since High Streets UK’s launch in the House of Commons in January – attended by key political figures including Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports and Dame Diana Johnson, Policing Minister – much has been achieved. You can read more about what we have been up to below.

To keep our work focused, we are dedicating each quarter to a critical challenge shared by the locations we represent, starting with business rates reform.

We are particularly concerned about the Treasury’s current proposals to increase the business rates multiplier by up to 10p in the pound for properties with a rateable value of or above £500,000 – which are 5.1 times more likely to be found in flagship high streets like the ones we represent. Should the measure go ahead, it would inflict an even greater tax burden on businesses in city centre destinations, which are already facing rising operational costs.

To help inform our response, we conducted an impact analysis on how the proposals will affect flagship locations — you can find out more by registering for our webinar on 24 April. Our findings and policy recommendations were discussed at our first forum, held in Liverpool, and shared with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, in an open letter signed by High Street UK’s founding members.

I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in just 12 weeks. As we look ahead to the next quarter, our attention will turn to retail crime and how High Streets UK can foster closer collaboration with the Government to take a tougher stance on the issue.

I look forward to sharing more updates in our next newsletter.

Dee Corsi
Chair, High Streets UK

2025 Q1 UPDATES

High Streets UK Launch Event at the House of Commons

On 14 January, business representatives, political stakeholders and levy payers got together at the House of Commons to celebrate the launch of High Streets UK – whose founding members include Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Newcastle.

The event was attended, most notably, by Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports; Dame Diana Johnson, Policing Minister; Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business & Growth; Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, and Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

To mark the occasion, Dee Corsi, Chief Executive of New West End Company and Chair of High Streets UK, and Bill Addy, Chief Executive Officer of founding BID member Liverpool BID Company, delivered keynote speeches. Both emphasised  High Streets UK’s unique position to bridge the gap between local expertise and national policy and highlighted the power of collective action in achieving tangible progress for the nation’s city centres.

High Streets UK’s Inaugural Forum in Liverpool

At the beginning of March, High Streets UK held its inaugural forum in Liverpool, which focused on business rates reform in response to the Government’s business rates discussion paper.

Hosted by founding member Liverpool BID Company, the session provided a crucial platform to discuss the Government’s proposed changes, collectively assess its possible outcomes, and put forward policy recommendations which will support growth and protect flagship high streets.

We are calling on the Government to take urgent action to avoid unintended consequences such as store closures and job losses. Key recommendations include exempting all Retail, Leisure and Hospitality properties from the new ‘super tax’ higher multiplier; conducting a full impact assessment of proposed multiplier increases and freezing any hike in the higher multiplier until 2027/28 to provide greater certainty. These have been reported on key titles across the country, including The Grocer, Drapers and The Industry.

Find our full list of recommendations here.

Business Rates Impact Analysis on Flagship High Streets

To help inform our policy asks, High Streets UK undertook an analysis of the potential impact, should the proposed business rates reform by the Government go ahead.

Contrary to the Government’s claims of targeting online giants, our research shows that businesses operating on flagship high streets are 5.1 times more likely to be subject to the Government’s new ‘super tax’ business rates multiplier than anywhere else in the UK. The measure could lead to 200 stores closures and risk inflationary price increases for consumers. Not just that, up to 5,500 jobs could be on the line.

Our assessment was covered in The Times first, and further explored in an op-ed by High Streets UK’s Chair Dee Corsi in Drapers. Its message was regionally amplified by The Guide Liverpool, Business Live and Northern Insight.  

Read the complete research here.

Response to Government’s Business Rates Discussion Paper

We have shared our business rates impact analysis with the Treasury as evidence, and listed out our policy recommendations to mitigate the worst impacts of reform for flagship high streets, in our response to the Government’s discussion paper on business rates.

As outlined in our response, High Streets UK welcomes the fact the Government has kicked off a conversation on how to reform the business rates system – something which has been repeatedly promised and much-delayed in the past.

However, we are concerned that the way in which this reform has been designed will have unintended consequences, leading to impacts on employment and prices, and potentially putting stores at risk of closure.

Click here to read more about our submission.

Spring Statement Reaction by Chair, Dee Corsi

High Streets UK’s Chair Dee Corsi submitted a statement in reaction to the announcements made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Spring Statement.

“As intended by the Chancellor, the Spring Statement featured no new tax decisions. It did, however, underline the harsh reality that the UK’s economic outlook remains challenging and the support many businesses urgently need is still missing.”  

Read Corsi’s statement in full here.

Webinar Invitation: Understand the Impact of Business Rates Reform on Flagship High Streets

On 24 April, Paddy Gamble, Director of Insights & Strategy at High Streets UK’s founding member New West End Company, will host a webinar session delving into our most recent impact analysis on business rates reform.

To explore the potential implications of the new system, join us for an insightful discussion touching on key topics such as the rising operational costs for businesses and the disproportionate impact on flagship high street locations.

Click here to register, or email info@high-streets.co.uk.

• Date: Thursday 24 April 2025
• Time: 9:30am– 10:15am
• Location: Zoom Meeting