Back bookshops in bid to rebuild high streets, Burnham urged

Renowned authors have urged Burnham to provide emergency support to the UK's small bookshops as part of his commitment to revitalise Britain's high streets. A group of bestselling writers, alongside 200 booksellers, have penned a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to introduce a business rates relief package for bookshops, which are struggling with substantial tax bills.

Authors such as Maggie O'Farrell and Phillip Pullman have stated that Burnham should treat bookshops with the same urgency as pubs and music venues, whose business rates bills he pledged to reduce shortly after taking office. The writers expressed disappointment that bookshops were not included in Burnham's relief package, emphasizing that bookshops clearly meet the criteria for targeted support as they deliver significant community benefits.

While government officials acknowledged the vital role of bookshops in communities and their contribution to local high streets, they noted that bookshops already enjoy lower business rates multipliers and temporary caps on tax increases. However, the authors expressed frustration with Labour's claims of supporting the retail sector through business rate changes, as many independent bookshops are not eligible for full business rates relief.

The writers highlighted that these independent bookshops will face annual tax hikes of £4,563 by 2029/30, requiring them to sell an additional 1,141 books to cover the cost. The Booksellers Association estimates that total business rates receipts paid by independent booksellers will increase by 35% to £5.65m by the end of the decade.

The association, which organized the campaign, argues that bookshops deserve the same support as pubs because they host community events and boost literacy across the country. Authors Adam Kay and Maggie O'Farrell, along with Philip Pullman, endorsed the letter to Burnham, emphasizing that bookshops need the same help as other community establishments.