Leading retailers and industry associations have come out fighting in response to changes to the empty-property relief laws that came into effect on Tuesday.
In an unusual step, the BRC has joined forces with landlords’ body the British Property Federation, writing to local government minister John Healey in protest.
The Government claims that the updated laws will encourage competition among retailers and raise occupancy levels. But retailers and landlords say the laws will have the opposite effect.
“It is ignoring the mechanisms of the market because of a need to plug holes in the budget at a time when the slowdown makes it more likely business premises will fall vacant,” said BRC director-general Stephen Robertson.
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