County helps traders to get business rate relief

Denbighshire County Council is helping 650 traders get business rate relief this year.

The council will be applying the Welsh Government High Street Retail Relief Scheme automatically to businesses’ bills where possible as well as informing them of the help available.

Denbighshire has the third highest number of qualifying businesses in Wales, only Cardiff and Swansea will be awarding relief to more traders, resulting in savings of £284,500 for businesses in the county.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We’ve lobbied the Welsh Government on rate relief because we understand the pressures from changing consumer demands and the effects of last year’s change to the Welsh Government multiplier.

“The council is automatically applying rate relief where it is able to and publishing details on our website and social media for businesses, informing them of what schemes are available.

“Supporting businesses is part of our commitment to support economic prosperity in Denbighshire and create resilient communities. Our role in applying the Welsh Government High Street Retail Relief Scheme is one of a number of projects we undertake to support local businesses.”

The council also supports local businesses  for example by holding training sessions throughout the year, as well as during its annual March for Business month, by encouraging residents to shop local through the #LoveLiveLocal campaign and by reducing red tape through the Better Business for All scheme.

Denbighshire County Council collects business rates on behalf on the Welsh Government and then returns the funds to them.

The council does not set the rates. The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs and Welsh Government sets the multiplier on which business rate bills are based.

* If you would like the council to review your eligibility for any of the relief schemes you can contact businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706000 or for more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/businessrates