Portas: Act now or half shops will shut

...but cash crisis won’t stop us snipping and sipping

- Eugene Henderson

RETAIL guru Mary Portas has called on the Government to rethink business rates and VAT to help ailing high street businesses.

The former adviser to David Cameron spoke out after a report on the future of independent retail found up to half of existing small stores could close unless they get ongoing assistance with energy bills and tax relief.

She said: "Put simply we could lose half of all shops.

"We need to look at the systems they are currently working under, because they are not fit for purpose for the future.

"So VAT, business rates, all of it needs to be looked at. We need to look at the bigger picture and how people want, and need to live, in the future for the good of themselves and the planet." The 62-year-old, dubbed the "Queen of Shops" during her TV career, was tasked by then PM Cameron with leading an independent review into the future of high streets in May 2010.