[seabass-labrax]

You clearly know what you are talking about, but I don't think you're representing the situation fairly. There are all kind of ways in which businesses may be exempt or partly relieved of commercial property rates. The particularly important one is the the 'small business rate relief', which exempts businesses whose property has a rateable value of less than £15,000 - that's basically all high street shops outside of London.

If by 'other kinds of retail' you mean retail chains or department stores, then yes, the current tax regime causes them to be disadvantaged. But almost every kind of local high street company (including cafés, jewellers, newsagents, toy shops, and yes, even second-hand bookshops) is helped considerably by these tax breaks - it's not just charity shops.

There are lots of reasons why high street businesses and retail in general are struggling, but I'm confident that business rates aren't one of them.