Business Rates and the survival of Small Retailers

This article looks at the impact of the uprating of business rates on small retailers.

If there are positive externalities from the existence of independent retailers, then there might be a case for some form of government support. But is this a reasonable argument? Who is to decide whether or not a shop is worthy of supporting?

Aren't customers the best judges of this? If an independent retailer is good, and meets consumer needs, then they'll stay in business. However, this will also depend upon the level of competition and small shopkeepers argue that supermarkets have such advantages that this justifies the government 'levelling the playing field' for small, independent retailers.