Pubs Yes Retailers No - Why the Government's High Street Response Misses The Mark
In this episode of High Street Matters, the team responds to the Government's January 2026 announcement giving pubs 15% business rates relief while excluding independent retailers entirely.

Host Jeff Moody is joined by Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, and John Jones, managing partner of Philip Morrison Sons department store in Hereford, to examine why this policy has been called "fundamentally misdirected".

The episode reveals that only 32% of pubs are actually on high streets, raising questions about a policy supposedly designed to support communities and town centres. Andrew explains how business rates relief originally covered retail, hospitality and leisure together, recognising they share the same challenges.

John shares the reality of running an independent store, facing the same cost pressures as pubs plus the additional burden of retail crime. The discussion explores why retailers can't invest without long-term certainty, and examines research from Southampton University showing voters rank high streets as their third most important local issue.

An honest conversation about policy that doesn't match the government's rhetoric about supporting high streets.
Subscribe now so you don't miss future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and many more high street matters! Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk. For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk. To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.