The mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, met with Craig Etchells, national vice president of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), at his shop in Chorlton on Thursday, 4 November. The meeting covered the opportunities and challenges facing high street shops in Manchester and beyond.
Focus on Retail Crime and High Street Support
Discussions centred on the Fed’s work to tackle retail crime and rogue trade, as well as the mayor’s new High Street Taskforce, which is set to launch shortly alongside a £20m Good Growth High Streets Fund. The meeting also addressed costs facing small shops, including rising energy bills, taxation, and the Fed’s engagement with the government to support small retailers.
The visit came just after the government announced an increase in the Small Business Rates Relief threshold to £18,000, a measure that helps many Fed members.
Innovation and Community Roles
Beyond the challenges, Etchells spoke about areas of innovation and his continued work promoting home news delivery (HND) around his shop, as well as the local jobs the business provides. The conversation also touched on the role shops can play in giving young people skills and confidence for their careers. Etchells noted that a member of the mayor’s GMCA team had his first job delivering newspapers for him as a teenager.
The launch of the deposit return scheme (DRS), which will begin in October next year, was also discussed. The Fed is encouraging members to get involved through its communication channels, including the DRS Knowledge Hub on its website and its monthly member magazine sent to thousands of members.
Mayor and Fed Leader Responses
Bev Craig said: “It was a very positive meeting and it was good to catch-up with Craig, meet the team in his shop and learn more about the work of the Fed across the whole country.”
“Newsagents and independent retailers are a vital part of our high streets, providing everyday essentials and providing a place for communities to stay connected. Through our work in Greater Manchester, including a new High Streets Fund and Taskforce, we’re bringing pride and that sense of community back to our high streets.”
“I look forward to working with Craig and the Fed on this and on their campaigns on issues like retail crime and supporting local jobs.”
Etchells said: “I would like to thank the mayor for her time and interest. Having met with her recently where we discussed the High Street Task Force, this was a very useful opportunity to show her my business and how integrated it is with the excellent local community we have here in Chorlton.”
