A new bill that aims to help small retailers is to be welcomed, the Forum of Private Business (FBP) believes.
The retail development bill would force local authorities to establish support schemes for smaller shops that were struggling.
Authorities would have to offer advice to existing and potential shop owners as well as providing financial support for three individuals who formed a cooperative or partnership in order to run a small retail premises.
The bill would also see a change in the way business rates were calculated for these shops as it proposes these should be calculated as a proportion of turnover, rather than at a flat rate.
Matthew Goodman, policy representative for FPB, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the Government to lessen the impact that business rates have on small shops, both financially and administratively."
The bill, introduced by Lord Cotter, received its first reading on January 22nd.
