Andy Burnham business rate update with cut for one type of firm proposed

NewsMidlands NewsAndy BurnhamMr Burnham is being urged to act05:44, 19 Aug 2026Andy Burnham business rate update with cut for one type of firm proposedPhilip Pullman and Maggie O’Farrell are among the authors urging new Labour Party Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cut business rates on bookshops.‌Hamnet author O’Farrell, and fellow authors Pullman, Katherine Rundell and Elif Shafak are among the writers supporting a campaign by independent booksellers to extend business rates relief for pubs, clubs and live music venues to bookshops.‌A total of 234 independent booksellers have signed an open letter organised by the Booksellers Association. The letter, sent on 13 August, states that bookshops were “deeply disappointed” to learn they would not be included in the additional relief. “The govern