Nottinghamshire business group backs #RaiseTheBar campaign to rescue high streets

With the current rateable value for those eligible for the government’s small business Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant (RHLG) standing at £51,000, businesses in North Nottinghamshire that exceed this threshold have been left without any support.

Representatives at North Notts BID group are supporting the #RaiseTheBar campaign, which is calling for the government to expand this threshold to any business in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors with a rateable value up to and including £150,000 to help prevent the collapse of local high streets.

Sally Gillborn, chief executive at North Notts BID, said: “Businesses in these sectors lie at the heart of nearly every community, forming high streets that are a hub of activity across the country.

“We understand the importance of keeping these businesses afloat and we want to do everything we can to get behind them and provide an essential lifeline.

“We’re delighted that this cause is being recognised by local policy makers and we hope that their backing will give the campaign the extra boost it needs to really make a difference.

“Retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are vital to the UK economy – generating a total of £635 billion in revenue – and we have many BID members that operate in and around these industries.

“We know that the impact of Covid-19 has been detrimental to those that exceed the threshold, so we want to reassure these businesses that they have the BID’s full support and we are working hard to get them the support they deserve.”

North Notts BID has joined industry bodies the BID Foundation, British BIDS and the Association of Town and City Management to lobby the government and actively campaign to broaden the threshold of those that qualify for the grant.

Sally continued: “We encourage everyone to get on board by signing the petition to help protect our high streets and the businesses that populate them.”

Visit northnottsbid.co.uk to find out more.