Welcome relief for small businesses

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “NIIRTA is very pleased with the positive feedback we have received from our members about the recent extension to the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme which has given much needed relief to many local traders struggling with the recession.

“Some of our members have saved as much as a £1,000 in their April rate bill, much of which has been re-invested in to their business and has enabled a small amount of much needed growth in a difficult economic environment.”

He added: “At a recent meeting with Minister Sammy Wilson we encouraged him to go further and extend the scheme to £12,000 NAV which will provide even more small businesses with much needed support with their rates bill.

“We accept that extending this scheme is not a silver bullet to assist struggling small traders, but alongside a fair deal in car parking, planning policy and a new joined up approach by the Executive on town centre regeneration, we can make further progress toward sustainable growth.”