The London Retail Consortium (LRC) is set to launch a wide-ranging campaign today to ensure London’s retailers’ voices are heard across issues including transport, crime, planning and property
LRC is calling for Crossrail contributions to be based on the economic benefits to each business sector as it argues business rates would unfairly target retailers and not landlords in the area.
Chaired by John Lewis Partnership deputy chairman Alastair McKay, LRC wants to raise the profile of retail property costs with the mayor, London Assembly members and the Greater London Authority to ensure policy does not increase costs for retailers in the capital.
In a letter to members seen by Property Week this week, McKay said: ‘Retailers face a number of barriers which deter further investment and place new development under threat.
‘Of particular concern is the impact of high property and labour costs, lack of quality transport provisions, increases in violent crime, the need for considerable investment in our high streets, and members operating under a framework of increasing red tape.’