The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Government to extend the business rates relief scheme until 2022.
Announcing the campaign, the association said the economic environment remains “turbulent” for almost all high street businesses.
The call comes ahead of the end of the business rates relief scheme, which is set to cease on 01 April 2022.
Launched last year in response to the first national lockdown, the initiative waives 100 per cent of business rates for eligible organisations in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.
But with much of the UK still in lockdown, thousands of businesses have yet to reopen their doors and return to profitability.
Now faced with the prospect of loan repayments and the closure of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the FSB has called on the Government to extend business rates support for at least one more year.
This includes:

• Extending the retail, hospitality and leisure 100 per cent relief for another 12 months to April 2022
• Establishing a revenue test so business rates relief is extended to those in the supply chain who’ve been impacted by the pandemic; and
• Increasing the number of small businesses who can claim business rates relief by increasing the threshold from £12,000 to £25,000.

Commenting on the report, FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: “Many small firms have benefited from the retail hospitality and leisure relief which has helped to ensure businesses don’t go under and jobs are saved.
“But with this due to end in April, and with the economic situation set to remain turbulent for many months to come, it is imperative that the Government extends this rates relief.”
He added: “However, we must also address the ongoing issue surrounding those who have been left with little support. The retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief does not encompass the whole sector. Thousands of small businesses in the supply chain have lost the same trade, but have not been allowed to access the same relief. These small firms are struggling just as equally and need to be offered the same levels of support to safeguard their long term futures.”
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