The organisations maintain that paying quarterly up-front costs UK retailers an extra £145m a year, and that landlords should be prepared to accept rent a month in advance instead.
“Merchants are already being squeezed by rising rents, rates and utility costs, and having to pay three months rent in advance on top of that can create real cash flow problems, particlarly for the smaller independents,” said BMF chairman Kevin Cubbage.
TTF chief executive John White agreed. “Any improvement to cash flow is to be welcomed,” he said.
As part of the campaign, the BRC is developing a standard to publicly recognise landlords who demonstrate flexibility.
