The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) will welcome former Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna at this years High Street Conference. Umunna will be discussing how any potential changes to Britains relationship with the EU might affect independent retailers in Britain.

Umunna will be joined by Greg Williams from Wired magazine along with a number of other industry leading speakers. The main topic of conversation will be the future of British retail. The event takes place at the Chateau Impney, Worcestershire on the 11 May.

Shanker Patel, from the Lords Group of Companies, Jane Means, Author, Presenter and Customer Service Expert and Claire Harper, Owner of independent childrenswear retailer IndiaCoco (and former Mamas & Papas Marketing Director) will also be in attendance, with a particular focus on how digital technology can work with, rather than against, bricks and mortar businesses.

Delegates will have the opportunity to network with fellow retailers and suppliers as well as bira’s service partners who will be in attendance during the day, alongside the speaker programme. Most notably bira direct, HSBC, bira legal, bira insurance, bira pensions, Global Payments, bira bank and Spiral Utilities have all confirmed they will be on hand to speak face to face with members about their services. The conference and awards is sponsored by bira direct, Dulux, Stax Trade Centres and Toolbank.

Vin Vara from Tool Shop, London and bira National President 2016-2017 says: “The speaker programme is just one part of what will be a day full of inspiring and valuable experiences for retailers. We know that time is short so retailers will want to make the most of their time out of the shop, that is why we are providing a truly stimulating day that will leave retailers feeling excited for the future.”

“I personally really value the time to speak with other retailers and the service partners on the day. With a few short conversations we are able to save ourselves time and money and ensure we are making the most of our bira membership.”

bira will also be celebrating the UK’s best independent retailers at the British Independent Retail Awards 2016. The awards aim to recognise and reward the talent, hard work, innovation and achievements of members. In particular, local hero’s who do fantastic community work, teams who have excelled as well as individual efforts and of course, the much sought after Independent Retailer of the Year Award.

Sarah Golden, Marketing and Membership Director at bira says: “It’s not often that independent retailers pat themselves on the back and celebrate their own successes. We recognise how hard our retailers work and our annual awards ceremony highlights the outstanding job they do. It is well worth entering the awards as they are a great way to raise the profile of businesses amongst the independent family and also recognise how hard retailers and their team’s work.”