Mid Wales businesses call for rate relief

Russell George, Montgomeryshire AM, said more than 70 companies from across Wales, with many from Montgomeryshire, have already signed a letter to First Minister Carwyn Jones asking for scheme to be extended.

Small business rate relief has already been extended in Wales until March 31, 2015.

Properties with a rateable value of £6,000 or less are eligible for 100 per cent relief, meaning businesses won't pay business rates on those properties.

The rate of relief decreases from 100 per cent to 0 per cent for properties with a rateable value between £6,001 and £12,000.

Should the extension get the go-ahead it would effectively abolish business rates on rateable values up to £12,000.

Retailers in Newtown, Welshpool and Machynlleth are among the businesses that have signed the letter calling for the rate relief extension, Mr George said.

He added: "There is a need for small businesses with a rateable value of up to £12,000 to have 100 per cent rate relief and relief tapered from 100 per cent to zero per cent for those with a rateable value of up to £15,000.

"Montgomeryshire is made up of predominantly small businesses that would benefit from such an extension, supporting their growth in rural areas where employment and investment is critical."

The letter, which has been signed by more than 70 businesses and organisations in Wales, was sent to Mr Jones by the Welsh Conservatives.

The move would see 73 per cent of business taken out of rates altogether and a further five per cent benefitting from tapered relief.

Paul Alexander, of Alexanders hardware store in Broad Street, Welshpool, said he would be grateful for any help.

He said: "Any help from the government to ease these pressures would be welcomed and that includes an extension to the business rate relief scheme."

Norma Rowalds, of the Harold Owen China Shop, in Shortbridge Street, Newtown, added: "Small businesses such as ours are under constant financial pressure as we compete with the internet and have higher transportation costs due to our location."

Mr George added: "Our local businesses need all the help they can get to help them grow and prosper and I'll be pursuing this with the first minister and business minister."