The growing business rates burden is threatening the survival of Britain’s small music venues, according to findings from the country’s first live music census. more»

Businesses in over 100 local UK communities that don’t have an ATM would be hit hardest by proposals that could lead to mass closures of free-to-use cash machines across Britain. more»

Amongst the local councils which haven’t yet offered rates relief to any of their constituent business owners are those with some of the largest rates relief allocations. more»

The network responsible for free-to-use cash points across Britain must ensure that every community maintains access to ATMs, a committee of MPs has said. more»

A cookery school, a Bristol toy shop and the UK’s first dedicated butcher and bottled beer store are amongst the 100 independent UK firms that will be championed this year. more»

Small businesses continue to face an uphill struggle to win public sector contracts, meaning that government targets for SME public procurement are unlikely to be met. more»

Local Enterprise Partnerships are threatening to become “old boys’ clubs” that fail to engage effectively with the small business owners they represent, the Federation of Small Businesses has warned. more»

Loyalty cards are nothing new on Britain’s high streets. But, for smaller retailers competing against the levels of customer retention enjoyed by larger competitors, finding ways to reward regular customers within tight margins is increasingly difficult. more»

What’s in a name? The long-term success of a high street store, according to a new study revealing the UK’s best small business names. more»

Britain’s local currency movement has added another small business community to its ranks, as the East London Local Pound initiative is launched to support the district's independent traders. more»