Chamber calls for reduction in rates bills

A meeting of the chamber is to be held on Monday at the Emmanuel Centre Foyer at 5.45pm to discuss a rates reduction strategy.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Glynn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association.

A chamber spokesman said: “We are starting to organise a campaign for rates revaluation in the town as a whole.

“There have been drastic changes in the commerce of Lurgan since the last valuation.

“With landlords reducing rents, the rates are still pegged to what they had been at the last valuation.

“This means traders are paying a disproportionate amount on rates in comparison to rent.”

He went on: “It’s in everyone’s interests to attend this upcoming meeting.

“Recently the chamber, in conjunction with Lurgan Forward, have been raising issues with state bodies with regard to improvements that can be made in the town, an update on these issues will be given at the meeting.”

It’s also hoped that a final update on the chamber website will be available for the meeting.