Monthly Archives: September 2021

Hot Business News Today

Investment lies in hands of pension holders, says Sunak

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By Timothy Adler on Small Business – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

EXCLUSIVE: The key to small business investment lies in the hands of those who pay into pensions, chancellor Rishi Sunak said this afternoon.

Mr Sunak said that it was up to everyone who pays into a pension to tell pension funds that they want some of their money invested in technology start-ups.

“Making sure these companies have access to capital is critical,” said Mr Sunak.

>See also: Nearly 17% of small businesses at risk of insolvency

The chancellor, who hosted the first Treasury Connect event in East London this afternoon, was in listening mode, taking in the observations of Pension Bee founder Romina Suvova, who said it was difficult for institutional invest to put money into unquoted companies.

One takeaway from the event, which brought together tech founders with Treasury mandarins, was the three-way disconnect between tech start-ups, which need investment – especially at the later stage – institutional pension funds and the public, who would support a small percentage of their pension to support fast-growth businesses.

The UK’s pension funds control £4tr of cash paid in by up to 30m people through workplace pensions, making the UK the second-largest pension

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Hot Business News Today

Small businesses are taking back the high street

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By Timothy Adler on Small Business – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

Independent small businesses are clawing back the high street after years of being elbowed out by landlords greedy for chain brands.

More small businesses opened rather than closed on the high street for the first time since 2017 over the first half of this year.

The pandemic has accelerated the collapse of chain midmarket brands such as Topshop and Debenhams this year, while home working has led to a boom for local convenience stores, barbers and fast food takeaways as people spend locally.

>See also: Nearly 17% of small businesses at risk of insolvency

This is in significant contrast to the number of chain retail units that fell vacant between January and June, with over 5,000 becoming empty, according to the Local Data Company, which surveyed more than 550,000 units for its study.

Top 10 independent retailer openings H1 2021

TypeNo. of openings

Convenience stores323

Barbers317

Fast food takeaway311

Grocers208

Takeaway food shops184

Mobile phones149

Beauty parlours132

Pizza takeaway104

Ice cream parlours76

Restaurant and bar70

Source: Local Data Company

Independent businesses have taken over these retail units, helped by landlords offering rent-free periods and contributions to fitting-out costs to encourage take-up of empty high street or shopping centre units.

Lucy Stainton, commercial director at

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