Hundreds of businesses qualify for rates help

HUNDREDS of retail businesses across Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to apply for up to £1,000 off their rates.

A Welsh Government scheme has been set up to provide targeted assistance to those in the retail sector who qualify for the help.

The scheme has been offered to councils to distribute if they choose to do so, and Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board decided to do this at their meeting yesterday.

To qualify for the reduction in business rates, the rateable value of the property cannot be over £50,000, and it has to be used wholly or mainly for retail.

Under the scheme, retail is described as the sale of goods, food, drink or certain other services such as hairdressers, travel agents and estate agents offered to the public.

Ratepayers with more than one qualifying property will be subject to State Aid limits and will need to include State Aid declarations with their applications.

The scheme will be administered by the council and fully funded by the Welsh Government.

Executive Board Member for Resources Cllr Jeff Edmunds said: “This scheme can potentially help a large number of retailers in Carmarthenshire, around 650 businesses could benefit from this reduction in their business rates.

“The executive board was unanimous in its support and welcomed the scheme as one of the ways we can support businesses in our county, particularly during this financial recession.

“I would encourage all eligible businesses to apply and make the most of this opportunity.”

The report, which went before the Executive Board, is published on the council website at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk in agendas and minutes.