Drastic proposals to reform business rates would hand the multiple grocers a tax break and kick local shops in the teeth, independent retailers have warned.

Set out by Sainsbury’s chief financial officer John Rogers, the suggestions include replacing the current rates system and “rewarding” those businesses paying the most corporation tax, and giving extra rates relief to firms with the most employees.

[pull_quote_center]This is a report written for the supermarkets by themselves[/pull_quote_center]

Former Iceland boss Bill Grimsey blasted the British Retail Consortium’s report, ‘The Road to Reform’, and branded it “written for the big four supermarkets by one of the big four supermarkets”.

For the full story and reaction read today’s copy of Retail Express (February 25).