The BRC has announced a new deputy chairman, Morton Middleditch, who has served as director to the consortium since 1997.

Commenting on the appointment, chairman David Felwick said: 'I am delighted that Morton has been appointed to the position of deputy chairman and I am looking forward to him making a powerful contribution to the ongoing BRC agenda.

'Morton has been particularly active in lobbying and campaigning for small retail business with Government and has already provided a great service to the retail sector in his role as a director of the BRC.'