Petition · Department for Business and Trade
Create a legal classification to protect independent businesses in law
Open for signatures
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Independent businesses cannot compete in a market transformed by online giants, yet policy burdens them as if nothing has changed. They don't just create jobs; they provide social cohesion, community identity and shared spaces no algorithm can replace. The Government must recognise this and act.
1. Create a protected legal classification for independent, place-based businesses so policy can differentiate them from chains and online operators. 2. Immediately reduce and reform business rates for independents to reflect the reality of a market fundamentally changed by online retail. 3. Introduce a reduced VAT rate of 10% for qualifying independent hospitality, retail and leisure businesses.
Timeline
| 10 Apr 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Business and Trade
Opened
10 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.