The announcement that John Lewis is set to close its Sheffield store with the loss of 500 jobs is devastating news. This will be a hammer blow for Sheffield and leave a gaping hole in our city centre.
John Lewis is a huge draw, and the closure will have a knock-on effect for businesses across Sheffield..
We can’t continue with a situation where five US tech firms account for £1.3bn in lost corporation tax every year, while high street shops pay business rates under a system that hasn’t been reformed for years.
The Government are washing their hands of any responsibility for reviving our high streets, and creating a level playing field for local businesses. It’s the communities and workers who rely on them that are paying the price.