A TEIGNMOUTH businessman is appealing for independent retailers to be helped as pubs have been with a Government U-turn on business rates.

Barrie Hemmings, who runs gift and homeware shop Gertie and Bertie in Teignmouth, says while he appreciates pubs are facing financial challenges, so are shops and other high street businesses such as hair salons, beauticians and cafes.

Barrie, who has two other shops in Honiton and Exmouth, says he also has to deal with rising costs along with the new rate revaluation.

He said: ‘We are facing quite significant increases

‘One of my shops is looking at a up two £15,000 a year.

‘What that means is that we have to find £600 a month just for business rates for one shop which means taking an extra £2,500 in takings at a time when the high street is facing unprecedented changes and consumer spending is low.

‘We can’t pass on the extra cost to our customers.

‘About 80 to 90 per cent of my customers live locally or visit regularly and while they don’t always shop, they come in for a chat.

‘Shops are as important to them as pubs, we are part of the community.

‘Pubs aren’t the only social hubs but if there are no shops on the high street, who will go to the pubs then?

‘And we also employ local businesses and use local suppliers.

‘We will have to make some hard decisions and at some point, there will be businesses closing.’

He says the review of rateable values will have just as big an impact on independent shops as on hospitality.

Some businesses, he said, will go from getting rebates to having to pay full rates.

The problems have come as business rates reductions, introduced during Covid, are coming to an end at the same time as commercial premises are due to be revalued.

The double whammy means businesses, which are already paying higher energy costs and National Insurance and Minimum Wage increases, are now facing higher rates as well.,

While Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced support for pubs and hospitality businesses, Barrie argues there should be the same help for small, independent businesses.

Barrie explained: ‘We repeatedly hear from bodies representing hospitality - but not from those representing small retailers - so all of the focus and discussion is about hospitality and retail risks being ignored and lost in the debate.

‘The challenges and issues are exactly the same.

‘Shops are closing at an alarming rate, suppliers are going out of business and some retailers are having to cut staff numbers.’

The British Independent Retailers Association is calling for equal treatment for small independent shops after the government announced its plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO BIRA, said independent retailers face exactly the same challenges as pubs but have been left out of discussions about additional support.

He said: ‘Independent retailers are suffering the same pressures as pubs - significant increases in rateable values, low sales due to poor consumer confidence, and rising labour costs.

‘Our business model is under real stress, and we also have to deal with online retail giants and low-value imports escaping duty.’