The Birmingham City Centre Partnership (BCCP) has published a directory of independent stores and is keen to see a city centre Business Improvement District (BID) to help smaller shops.

BCCP director Jenny Inglis told icBirmingham:

"I think everyone accepts that independents are a vital part of the retail mix. We were a bit concerned that there was a perception that there weren't very many small retailers in Birmingham, when in fact, there are about 120, but scattered about.

"The city centre BID will help the smaller ones greatly because they will be getting the same benefits as the large retailers but will pay according to their size."

Meanwhile, the Birmingham Retail Partnership is callling on local authorities and the Government to take more action to protect small shops.