Reopening independent stores must be part of first phase of exit plan, says Bira

Independent retail businesses can offer a safe shopping environment and will help keep people within their local communities’, says the head of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Andrew Goodacre is calling for small independent shops to reopen during the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions outlined in government documents.…

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Benevolent Society sends hampers to beneficiaries

The Benevolent Society has announced that it has identified up to 50 beneficiaries to be the recipients of a hamper filled with edible goods. In a newly-released statement, the society said: “With all of the talk of Worldwide pandemic, economic disaster, job losses, the NHS being overwhelmed, it is important…

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De Beers Group launches e-commerce platform

De Beers Group’s auctions department has announced the introduction of a new scheme that will give registered buyers 24/7 access to diamond purchases. The newly-launched ‘Buy platform’ will allow buyers to make an “immediate, direct and straightforward purchase” from a range of rough diamonds with a further purchase option in…

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British Academy of Jewellery collaborates with Parlement Lycéen Européen

The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced the continuation of its partnership with Parlement Lycéen Européen (PLE), a network of jewellery schools across Europe.  In light of the ongoing partnership, the association will participate in the PLE’s annual jewellery design competition, whereby students from twelve European jewellery schools compete…

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Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West and Wales…

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Rotary Watches reopens distribution centre

Rotary Watches announced that it has reopened its distribution centre for a three-week period in order to service its retail partners and online orders. The centre has been open since the week commencing 4 May, and its continued operations will be reviewed at the end of the three-week period in…

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Birmingham Assay Office reopens gem lab amid Covid-19 pandemic

The Birmingham Assay Office has re-opened its gem lab and is now fully operational three days a week amid the Covid-19 crisis. Like many other businesses, the Birmingham Assay Office temporarily closed its doors on Tuesday 24 March for three weeks as stipulated by the government, but last month hallmarking…

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Baselworld 2021 cancelled

Organisers of Baselworld, the MCH Group, have confirmed that the 2021 event will no longer go ahead. The annual event, which was due to take place between 28 January and 2 February 2021, has been scrapped as the MCH Group said it had “reached an agreement” with representatives of exhibitors…

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41% of Brits start to use independent shops during Covid-19 lockdown

Some 41% of Brits have revealed they have been shopping at their local stores since the Covid-19 lockdown was introduced. According to a new study by comparison website finder.com, 36% of Brits surveyed plan to use their local stores more post lockdown. The study revealed the primary reason why shoppers…

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Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022

A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the government’s latest efforts to “reduce uncertainty” for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic.   Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…

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