In Bristol and beyond, a coalition of high street businesses is rallying against government plans to hike business rates for the largest properties, warning that such changes could disproportionately impact major retailers and alter the urban retail landscape.
High Streets UK, a group representing over 5,000 businesses nationwide, argues that the proposed increases in business rates for properties valued over £500,000 will unfairly burden flagship stores. These changes are meant to fund a reduction in rates for smaller high-street shops, but the group contends that this could discourage investment ahead of the 2026 revaluation, adding layers of uncertainty.
