Traditional retailers hit by business rates pain

The head of the UK’s biggest supermarket has said business rates have played a “large part” in the demise of some retailers.

Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis suggested the current rates regime had created an “uneven playing field” that was putting traditional retailers at a punitive disadvantage.

Tesco’s own bill is more than £700 million a year.

His comments come as House of Fraser revealed plans to shut 31 outlets, leaving 6,000 jobs at risk.

The closures account for more than half of the chain’s 59-store UK estate.