Retailers will learn whether they face an extra £200m business rates cost burden on Tuesday when inflation figures are revealed. 

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate for September, which is crucial to the calculation of business rates, is expected to increase. The burden of higher rates would weigh hard on retailers following two consecutive years of substantial increases. 

Retail Week and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) are urging retailers to sign the petition to support the joint Fair Rates for Retail campaign, which calls on the Government to freeze rates next year. It also calls for a fairer way of calculating rates, by switching from RPI to the Consumer Prices Index.

At the time of going to press the petition had almost 600 signatories in support of the freeze. 

The BRC will write to MPs asking for their support and will lobby the Government ahead of the Autumn Statement. 

The action comes as Ted Baker founder and chief executive Ray Kelvin lent his support to the Fair Rates for Retail campaign.

 

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