Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group urges Government to help high streets

Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group is calling on the Government to step up and help combat high levels of business rates, which it believes are severely damaging the high street.

In a report the business raises concerns towards councils for setting high rates and the damage they are causing to the already under-pressure retail sector. The report challenges the Government to intervene and help combat the increasing number of store closures and job losses associated.

The report says: "The high levels of rates charged by councils have been brought into question by the retail sector and the group and others continue to challenge these costs and the damage they are inflicting on the retail sector and its ability to maintain a significant high street presence.

“The UK Government needs to quickly address this situation as it continues to blight the UK retail industry and its three million employees. The group is committed to its employees but needs to be able to operate on a level playing field with all retail businesses.”

In its annual results, Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group posted a post-tax £23.4m profit, with a rise in revenues to £327.14m for the 27-week period to 2 March 2019.