The government has launched a series of initiatives to mitigate the effects of the cost of living crisis on people and businesses. Businesses, charities and public sector organisations will see a cap on energy prices in line with the cap for households, but only for the next six months. British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Rising energy costs are among the many costs feeding into higher prices; retailers are supporting their customers by absorbing many of these costs and limiting price rises. This announcement will help retailers as they continue to do all they can to support their customers through this challenging period.”
Tesco has launched a partnership with toy retailer The Entertainer to open concessions in 35 supermarkets. The concessions will host well-known brands including Lego and Early Learning Centre alongside The Entertainer’s own range. There will also be a calendar of free events and character visits at participating stores. The Entertainer chair Gary Grant said that the company was “very excited to announce this partnership with Tesco, which takes our products and experiences directly to families and children right in the heart of their local communities.”
Bradford Council has announced its acquisition of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre with a view to demolishing it as part of wider redevelopment plans. Primark will relocate into a former Debenhams in the Broadway Shopping Centre and other retailers will be supported in moving into other vacant units across the city centre. The Kirkgate Centre, which will not close just yet, will eventually be replaced by a green space, housing and smaller commercial spaces. The council says that the changes will “create a forward-looking sustainable city centre,” with a strong housing mix that it is hoped will attract families and young professionals.