Crawford urges freeze for non domestic rates to get business moving

Councillor Ronnie Crawford said he was particularly concerned about the effect the high level of rates were having in Market Square and the number of vacant properties in the area and said that something must be done if the "dire situation" is to end.

He recently arranged a meeting between local businesses and Land and Property Services to discuss the matter in the hope that a rates holiday could be offered.

"Several businessmen with properties in the city centre met a senior representative from Land and Property Services to discuss the problems," explained Mr Crawford.

"The closure of the Post Office in Market Square has reduced the footfall even further in that area and the prospect of renting the vacant properties there is becoming even more remote.

"In the current economic decline, more businesses are likely to suffer a decrease in turnover and without any reduction in the high and unrealistic level of rates, the point where the businesses becomes unviable may well come to pass despite the fact that landlords are reducing rents in a number of cases."

He went on to say: "One property owner pointed out an instance where the rent was actually 30% of the rates levied on his property.

"Unfortunately the current legislation makes no provision for the review of rates on economic grounds, which creates a situation where businesses will close because of high, and in the present circumstances, unrealistic rate demands.

"I had hoped that for the long standing vacant properties in Market Square, the LPS might have been able to offer a rates holiday simply to encourage the growth of businesses in that area. Without footfall, the properties will remain vacant and without businesses the footfall will not be increased. The chain needs to be broken but it will require legislation in the Assembly to do so.

"When I suggested the Council should freeze the non-domestic rate for 2011, I received no support from Councillors and I hope that if the dire situation in parts of Market Square is not to be perpetuated, Councillors will have a change of heart on this issue," he concluded.