Launching the record results for Centra for 2021, Mr Allen was quoted as saying: “The Government needs to step up and do more for independent Retailers who are facing increased labour costs, rising energy prices, supply constraints, high insurance premiums and the added pressure of State schemes like pension auto-enrolment.”
“If you add all of that, the punitive impact of our sector is absolutely staggering, and it doesn’t feel like it’s being approached or viewed in that way. If these cost pressures grow unchecked or unaddressed, then we are going to end up with business failures. We are going to end up with employment being hit.”