Countryside Alliance comments on closure of high street services in rural areas

Closures of high street services in rural areas are both a consequence and a cause of the rural premium: the added costs of living people face by virtue of living in a rural area. This is a key challenge to rural Britain and reflects the reality of our members’ and supporters’ daily lives.

Recent high levels of inflation have had a disproportionate impact on village shops and broader rural enterprises. It has posed risk to small local shops, farm shops and craft producers operating with higher production costs if consumers, having less disposable income, are forced to substitute cheaper, mass-produced goods and shop at larger discounted stores.

Having long campaigned for reform of business rates the Countryside Alliance welcomed UK Government plans to support businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and to consult with businesses in designing reforms. We are, however, concerned about the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions.

Ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on the closure of high street services in rural areas, the Countryside Alliance has shared a briefing note with MPs sharing our position on the matter.

Read our briefing note in full

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Rural tourism in England contributes over £13 billion per year to the economy, making up a substantial part of the overall £97 billion value of tourism in England. It makes a significant contribution to the rural economy, supporting village shops and services, jobs and businesses.

The issues of post office viability and lack of access to banking services can and should be linked, with the provision of banking services at post office counters offering an additional revenue stream that will bolster their prospects for survival. The Countryside Alliance has long made the point that post offices must remain relevant in modern times through supporting growth in activities like online shopping through parcel collection and delivery, and to continue to pick up slack as banks and shops close in rural areas.

Alongside rural pubs and other local businesses, village halls remain essential to the fabric of many rural communities across the country.