The Page is Turning: Bookshops' Plea for Rates Relief Literary heavyweights like Philip Pullman and Maggie O'Farrell have joined forces with independent booksellers to urge Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, to extend business rates relief to bookstores.
This campaign highlights a disturbing trend: while pubs and clubs receive tax breaks to keep their doors open, bookshops – often dubbed the "beating hearts" of local communities – are left to fend for themselves.
The stark contrast between these two types of businesses has led some to question why bookstores aren't receiving similar consideration.