The symbol group’s move came as a number of other trade bodies, including the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, gave their backing to demands for an end to the historic practice of shops being required to pay rent three months in advance.
Campaign organisers, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), is calling for landlords to accept rents monthly in advance, claiming paying quarterly up-front rent is costing retailers an extra £145m a year.
BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said: “Over the last two years a number of national names have gone to the wall but thousands of smaller retailers have folded too.
“Monthly payments would help struggling small retailers in particular by easing cash-flow pressures. By agreeing to a fairer rents regime, landlords will be contributing to the retail prosperity on which they also depend.”
