Pembrokeshire’s Conservative politicians have given a cautious welcome to the news that business rate relief is being extended.
After months of lobbying by the Welsh Conservatives, the Welsh Assembly Government finally decided to follow the Chancellor’s lead and cut the bills in Wales.
“This is good news for many small businesses and I am glad that the Welsh Assembly Government is finally doing what we called for back in March 2009,” said South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns.
“I would point out however, that firms will still have to pay the higher rates for six months until this scheme comes into effect and they may not get that money back.”
Conservative parliamentary candidate Simon Hart fears it is already too late for some traders in Narberth, where shopkeepers have been hit by rates bill increases of an average 240%.
“We know of one business that has had to reduce its floor space by 75% to survive and of at least three others that are closing down shortly,” he said.
Research by the town’s Chamber of Trade reveals that of the 48 businesses in the town’s High Street, 17 will benefit from the cut.
“However if this change had been announced before the recent revaluation, then 43 would have been helped,” said Mrs Burns.
“The problem is that their rates valuations have gone up so much that they now fail to qualify for the reduction. What would have been a much fairer and better solution would have been a cap on rates increases of no more than 100%.”
