A new voluntary code of practice for commercial property leases has been announced by regeneration minister Sally Keeble.

The code aims to provide a more flexible commercial property market.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general British Retail Consortium, told ePolitix.com: "Flexibility in the property market is essential if retailers are to continue to deliver job creation and economic growth. If taken forward by the property industry, the code will be a great assistance to the retail sector.

"However, DTLR monitoring will be crucial. There must be real and conclusive evidence that the code has had an impact in terms of increasing flexibility in the property market. If this fails to materialise the government must, in the interests of productivity and competitiveness, take legislative action to address the problems."