Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade has issued a five point plan which it believes would address the burden of high rates on small businesses and the independent retail sector. Among the points are:
- Support for proposals to extend the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme toward an NAV of £10,000 to be paid by large retailers
- Consideration for the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme to be funded by an alternative funding mechanism of an additional Rate Levy on large out of town stores which currently have large free car parks
- Give incentive to new business start-ups to reduce the number of empty shop units by offering a rate concession to newly occupied premises for the first year of trading
- Support for the Green New Deal and support of investment in Green technology and energy efficiency
- An early rates evaluation
A Chamber Statement said that the implementation of such proposals would have a positive impact on local business. “Newry Chamber believes that the above proposals will have a measurable impact on assisting some of those businesses most I need of additional help and support in surviving this difficult economic period,” it read. “The above proposals will assist new business start-ups along with providing a much needed lifeline into revitalizing our towns and city centres. They are fair in that those most able to afford an additional levy will help those in most need of support.”
Newry Reporter
9th November 2011
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