George Osborne's budget on 8 July, seems to affect the ethnic minority in great scale. While Asian Voice is preparing for an extensive analysis on this government's first budget in our next week's issue, it is evident that small scale businesses, especially Asian shopkeepers or retailers will be affected by the new trading laws that will come into order soon.
The Chancellor is due to announce that shops with less than 3000 square feet of space- can now open for more than 6 hours on a Sunday- threatening many small retailers, who have so far benefitted from the existing law. The opening times will remain a devolving issue- letting the mayors and local councillors finally decide the opening hours.
Pranav Patel, a local shopkeeper in South London told Asian Voice, “I read the news about the trading hours changing on Sundays. I have a few shops, and some quite close to big super markets. I know that we have benefitted so far with the trading laws, but now it will definitely affect us. This government must think of an alternative way to help the smaller businesses like us. We do contribute to the economy as well and our needs are often disregarded.”
But Raj, a local shopkeeper near Sainsbury local in Hoxton (East London) said, “25 years back all the super markets used to remain closed on the weekends. After constant complaints from customers, they now remain open for 6 hours. With this change in law, the super markets will perhaps now remain open for longer- but that does not affect me.”
In a figure released in 2007, 39% of Asian-owned businesses are in the Wholesale and Retail sector (compared to 23% for businesses in general). Asian-owned firms are relatively under-represented in Business Services: around 33% of Asian- owned businesses are in this sector compared to 40% for all businesses.
Britain's biggest retailers remain divided over the extending trading hours along with the Church of England, that has clearly shown its opposition to this change in fear of dwindling church attendances.
