New West End Company CEO: Healey’s Budget must give High Streets room to grow

The West End supports more than 350,000 jobs, attracts visitors from across the world and generates significant economic activity and tax revenue for the wider UK. If the cost of operating here continues to rise, the consequences will be felt well beyond London, says Dee Corsi Two years of Autumn Budgets have heaped costs on to our flagship high street retailers but could the third time be the charm? John Lewis and M S, two of the most important brands in the West End, have made their cases publicly that they cannot absorb any further business rate hikes, and there’s signs that government might finally be listening, particularly following recent reports of proposed changes to online retail VAT collection to provide funds to reduce high street business rates. This is about more than the fortunes of individual retailers. The West End supports more than 350,000 jobs, attracts visitors from across the world and generates significant economic activity and tax revenue for the wider U