THE manager of a Newquay business body has urged the government to help stop the ongoing decline of the high street.

Mark Warren, the manager of Newquay BID, has written to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, outlining the impact “damaging” policies are having on traders.

He argues Employer National Insurance increases are forcing businesses to pause recruitment or reduce staff. Mr Warren also highlighted concerns that taxes on hot food “disproportionately” impacts small cafés and restaurants.

The BID manager said businesses are “already on their knees” and warned that there will be many more closures unless urgent action is taken.

He would like to hear the steps the government plans to take to prevent further decline and to actively support high street businesses before “irreversible” damage is done.

Mr Warren said: “I know many people will think the letter will fall on deaf ears, but staying silent is not an option. We have to stand up and make government accountable for the damage current policies are doing to our amazing high streets not just in Newquay, but across the UK.

“I’ll continue to speak up for our businesses and our town.”

The letter states: “Dear Rachel Reeves.

“I am writing to you directly regarding the ongoing and accelerating decline of UK high streets, and the very real impact that current government policies are having on local businesses.

“I have met previously with Noah Law MP, who I believe is genuinely trying to support businesses in Newquay. However, despite these efforts, businesses on the ground are seeing no meaningful relief.

“I feel deeply disappointed that policies intended to protect working people are instead placing unsustainable pressure on the very businesses that employ them.

“Employer National Insurance increases are forcing businesses to pause recruitment or reduce staff, which will inevitably drive unemployment in towns like mine.

“At the same time, taxes on hot food disproportionately impact small cafés and restaurants, while supermarkets remain largely insulated and can undercut town-centre traders on price. Independent businesses offering higher-quality products simply cannot pass these costs on to customers without losing trade.

“While increases to the National Minimum Wage are well-intentioned, I struggle to see how workers will benefit if the businesses they rely on for employment are no longer viable.

“This is compounded by rising energy costs, business rates, insurance, supply chain pressures and general cost-of-living increases that small business owners absorb daily.”

Mr Warren included the latest industry statistics in the letter to back up his argument.

He says he does not understand why the government shies away from placing greater accountability on large global online rather than “increasing the burden” on independent business owners.

Mr Warren wrote: “The scale of closures on UK high streets is stark. UKHospitality forecasts that without further support, 963 restaurants, 574 hotels and 540 pubs could close in 2026 alone. Footfall across UK high streets remains 15 to 20 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, adding further pressure to already struggling town-centre businesses.

“A significant proportion of closures continue to be in sectors such as pubs, banks and essential services, eroding the diversity and resilience of our town centres.

“I am particularly concerned that while short-term support has been directed towards the pub trade, many other high street businesses have been overlooked entirely.

“Having worked on UK high streets for most of my adult life, I do not understand how, at a time when Amazon and other global online retailers continue to extract vast profits, you are not placing greater accountability on large corporations rather than increasing the burden on independent business owners. “The stated ambition of vibrant, thriving high streets will not be realised if these pressures continue unchecked. High streets will simply cease to exist.

“Businesses are already on their knees, and many more closures will happen on your watch unless urgent action is taken.

“I would genuinely welcome a response and would be very interested to understand what concrete steps the government plans to take.

“At present, it feels as though the voices of those trading day in, day out are not being heard.”