High Street Matters: Rights and Risks - The Employment Challenge Facing Britain's High Streets

Independent retailers are bracing for what employment law experts are calling a "tectonic shift" in workplace regulations. In this crucial episode of High Street Matters, journalist Steve Dyson explores the sweeping changes set to affect nine million employees and transform how small businesses operate.

Gerry O'Hare, Legal Director at Worknest, warns of "generational changes" including day one dismissal rights, statutory sick pay from day one, and enhanced harassment prevention duties. Meanwhile, John Jones from Philip Morris & Son in Hereford shares the frontline reality of these reforms, explaining how they threaten business viability for retailers already struggling with rising costs. The panel tackles specific questions raised by Bira members about everything from probationary periods to flexible working requests and zero hours contracts, providing practical guidance on navigating these complex changes.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre reveals the association's efforts to influence government policy and urges retailers to engage with their local MPs before it's too late. With most changes taking effect in 2026, this episode provides essential insights into what's coming and how businesses can prepare.

Discover the practical implications, timeline, and survival strategies every independent retailer needs to know.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and many more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.

For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.

High Street Matters: Beyond Cars - Creating Vibrant High Streets Through Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

Are low traffic neighbourhoods killing local businesses, or breathing new life into our high streets?

This episode of High Street Matters explores how reducing vehicle traffic is transforming shopping districts across Britain.

Host Steve Dyson interviews Natalie Lindsay from London's Wandsworth Bridge Road Association about their journey to reclaim a busy main road as a thriving high street. Their annual street fair now attracts 20,000 visitors, proving that people-friendly spaces can increase footfall.

In Birmingham's trendy Kings Heath suburb, Henry Poultney explains how pedestrianising York Road transformed his Grace and James wine and cheese shop into a bustling café destination. With outdoor seating and a continental atmosphere, his business has shifted from 50% retail to 75% hospitality.

The episode also features Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre, who emphasises the importance of including local businesses in planning decisions, noting that "when we think about high streets we want places where people can have a sense of freedom."

Essential listening for independent retailers, local authorities and community groups looking to revitalise their high streets by putting people before cars.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.

For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.

Want to make your retail business more sustainable while boosting profits? This episode of High Street Matters reveals how independent retailers are successfully embracing eco-friendly practices without breaking the bank.

Host Steve Dyson interviews Victoria Robertshaw, founder of Green Street, about practical ways retailers can reduce costs through sustainability.

From LED lighting to returnable packaging schemes, discover how small changes can lead to significant savings.

The episode also features Keith Hunt, owner of Our Precious Earth, whose zero-waste shop in Minehead demonstrates how sustainability can drive business success.

Learn how simple changes like switching to LED lighting can save hundreds of pounds annually and discover why customers are increasingly choosing retailers who minimise single-use plastics. The episode explores practical solutions for retailers of all sizes, with expert guidance on upcoming recycling legislation and energy-saving techniques.

Essential listening for independent retailers looking to reduce their environmental impact while improving their bottom line.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like retail crime, accessibility, and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
To see the full High Street Matters series, including our March episode on exploring retail crime, visit our podcast resource page.

Step inside the mind of shop thieves as leading criminologist Professor Emmeline Taylor and Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre reveal the psychology driving retail crime.

From drug-affected persistent offenders to organised criminal gangs, understand why they target independent shops and what can be done to protect businesses.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your preferred platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
To see the full High Street Matters series, including our March episode on exploring retail crime, visit our podcast resource page.

Ever wondered how many local customers are searching online for products you have in stock? In this episode, discover how high street shops are making their inventory visible to online shoppers in real-time.

Host Steve Dyson interviews Nick Brackenbury of Near St about technology that's helping independent retailers compete with online giants. Born from a frustrating search for a light bulb, this system now connects local shops' stock directly to Google, Facebook and Instagram.

Jane Taylor shares how a family's 128-year-old hardware store reached six million local searches, bringing customers through their doors daily with phones in hand. The episode explores how the technology works with existing stock systems and discusses costs starting from just £29 per month.

Essential listening for independent retailers looking to turn local online searches into store visits.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

In this episode of High Street Matters we discuss ways small independent retailers can utilise AI to help them promote their business on social media.

AI (or Artificial Intelligence) is the buzzword of the moment, but how can small businesses us AI to benefit them? Are there cost effective solutions? Can AI actually be easy to use?

Listen to find the answers to all these questions can be “Yes”!

Find out how Bira is working with AI to help provide a service that helps independent traders to increase their profile, to increase customer footfall and improve revenues.

Steve Dyson talks with Polly Barnfield about Maybe's AI solutions, and Melanie Beard, co-owner of Best Health Food Shop and Bira member about how she’s seeing huge success from using Maybe AI to help with her business's social media promotion.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
For more information about Facewatch, visit the Bira website

In this latest episode of High Street Matters by Bira, we dive into the pressing concerns of independent traders across the country.

What do these small businesses need from the new Labour Government now they are in power?

Join us as we explore the critical issues they face, from taxes, national insurance rates, and business rates to the complexities of regulations. We’ll also cover the challenges related to energy contracts and real estate.

Hear first-hand from indie retailers about their struggles and the specific actions they want their MPs to take. This Election Special offers a comprehensive look at what the high street truly needs to thrive.

Don’t miss it!

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and many more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

High Street Matters: Accessibility - Unlocking The High Street

This podcast from Bira explores how prioritising accessibility can unlock new opportunities for independent retailers on the high street. This episode delves into the commercial benefits of creating a more inclusive shopping experience.

Featuring insights from industry experts including Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre, the podcast examines common barriers to accessibility and provides affordable solutions retailers can implement.

Mr Goodacre said: "Indie traders want to be accessible, but often see steps taken that put up unintended barriers like removing parking without improving public transport access."

You'll also hear from Tony Elvin, General Manager of Touchwood Shopping Centre, on how embracing accessibility drove measurable success. He said that "small changes like turning a counter" allowed wheelchair users to properly access one indie shop, increasing business.

The podcast highlights the economic incentive too. Ailsa Forbes of the International Longevity Centre UK who shares that "by 2040, older households could spend 63p of every £1" and stresses "it makes commercial sense" to create a positive, accessible experience that turns customers into loyal repeaters".

Hosted by journalist Steve Dyson, the episode guides affordable ways indies can enhance accessibility within their premises, while underscoring the moral, social and financial payoffs of inclusivity.

Whether through improving mobility access, creating a welcoming atmosphere, or rethinking product placements to making sure that people have common barriers to accessibility and affordable solutions to parking and reaching the high street, this podcast arms retailers with the keys to unlocking the full potential of the high street for all.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and many more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.