New BRC checklist encourages dialogue between retailers and landlords
Published: 20 July, 2010
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a free booklet to help retailers save costs by engaging with their landlords.
The Property Management Checklist gives advice on rent, service charges and energy use to ensure retailers are getting the most for their money and includes tips such as asking for monthly rents when the lease comes up for renewal and encouraging landlords to meter energy use separately for each shop.
The checklist follows the BRC’s Rent Monthly campaign which successfully established monthly rental terms on new leases.
Elizabeth Hinde, head of property at the BRC said: “In these tough times, it’s essential for retailers and their landlords to make savings where possible – otherwise the spectre of boarded-up shops will continue to blight our high streets.
“The checklist was put together with our members on the Property Policy Action Group and is designed for smaller retailers to help inform them of the best practices used by larger retailers to maintain a good dialogue with their landlords.”
The checklist will be sent out to 7,000 small businesses and it can also be downloaded from the BRC’s website at www.brc.org.uk/propertychecklist
