We didn’t know how much we relied on our high street – until we didn’t have one.

Lockdowns made us realise how much we need our local high streets, independent stores and the people behind them. They are not just places to simply transact in but places to create community and feel human connection.

Now they need us.

Our streets are under threat. Repeated lockdowns, with limited support, have brought independent retailers to their knees. Behind these stores are entrepreneurs whose dreams are at stake, alongside the livelihoods that depend on them.

We are calling on the government to do more to support our independent retailers – as they have done with other sectors.

The retail sector represents 20% of the UK’s GDP and it’s our independent retailers who will play a vital role in the economic recovery of local neighbourhoods. For every £1 spent with local independents an additional 63p of benefit is created for the local economy, compared to just 40p generated by larger national retailers. But as it stands, 1 in 3 British brands are predicted to disappear by March.

Immediate action is needed, or we face a future with hollowed-out streets and no places left for communities to come together. We need new support measures in place for independent retailers after one of their toughest years.

We are asking the government to incentivise shopping at independent retailers to combat the impact of lockdowns and restrictions, whilst providing future solutions in the form of an extended break from business rates for independent retailers and first-time entrepreneurs, so they can plan ahead.

As a nation, we need to protect our streets. They are world-class. They have been the birthplace of cultural movements and supported generation after generation of entrepreneurs. They are the key to our economic recovery, as well as the fabric that weaves our cities and cultures together.

We must act now to #SaveTheStreet