Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is supporting independent retailers operating within Sorbon Estates by extending its complimentary membership offer to them for another year.
Sorbon Estates is a commercial property investment and development company located in Beaconsfield that operates in and around the M25, the Thames Valley and Greater London. It lists more than 100 independent retailers among its tenants.
Launched in 2018, the agreement between Bira and Sorbon Estates allows retailers to benefit from more than 30 of Bira’s services including business banking with HSBC, professional development courses, product sourcing, legal advice, accountancy services, and workplace pensions.
One of those retailers is Emre Yilmaz, whose independent family-run bakery Bakedd is at Chapel Wharf in Maidenhead. He said: “I’m really pleased Sorbon Estates is offering its tenants a complimentary Bira membership for another year. Thanks to this membership, I’ve been able to make significant savings by switching to a more competitively priced business banking provider and more cost-efficient waste collection services.
“Having a team of Bira’s legal experts to hand is amazing. Thanks to their advice, I’ve been able to quickly bring all employee contracts in line with the most recent employment regulations. Small businesses like mine hugely benefit from this expertise, and I will definitely renew my membership next year.”
Bira chief executive officer Andrew Goodacre commented: “It’s no secret that the retail sector has undergone huge amounts of change as the way customers shop has evolved. However, we truly believe that these challenges really do prove that there is always a strong demand for well-run businesses that provide a local population with something they need and an experience they can’t have online. Having been supporting independent retailers for 120 years, we’re thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Sorbon Estates.”
Tamra Booth, managing director of Sorbon Estates, added: “A long-term view is central to how we work with our tenants, old and new, and we are dedicated to ensuring high streets remain an attractive destination for visitors and a thriving community for local residents. This means we are focused on promoting a diverse and exciting mix of retailers with a strong emphasis on independent businesses. Our partnership with Bira demonstrates our on-the-ground approach to ensuring our tenants’ success both now and in the years to come.”
