‘Working our fingers to the bone’: Can the UK save its struggling high streets?

Surpreet Suri is considering leaving the premises of his photography shop, The New Photo Company, on King’s Heath High Street in Birmingham because operating costs have become too high. Founded by his father 40 years ago, the family business once had four locations but now has just one. Despite a loyal customer base, Suri says he is working relentlessly for increasingly limited financial rewards. His experience reflects the pressure on independent UK retailers from rents, taxes, wages, energy costs and online shopping as the government presents its budget.