High Street revival plans
The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for dramatic changes in order to save local high streets with the scrapping of business rates in Wales being a key priority of the party alongside the establishment of a ‘Welsh Towns Fund’ of £500 million.
Alison Alexander, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate for Montgomeryshire said: “Saving our high streets recovery in the post-Covid world requires us to be innovative and bold.
“Hit with the dual challenges of being shut for trading for most of the last year and the accelerated rise in online shopping, returning to business as normal is simply not an option.
“In the immediate future we need the continuation of the business rates holiday indefinity and better help provided to those businesses that have been excluded from government assistance so far, which we propose is done via an upfront premium grant.
“The burden of business rates falls hardest on start-ups, small companies, and businesses experiencing difficulties. They also unfairly penalise high street retailers, which lose out to online rivals who don’t have to pay the same taxes.
“In Welshpool, we have already seen a rapid decline in the high street in the last twelve months. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and local economies. They employ local people, ensure our vulnerable are looked after and contribute to our social life. We need substantial action to prevent our highstreets becoming ghost towns."
