ALMR welcomes changes to business rates in Scotland and Wales

15 December 2017 by
ALMR welcomes changes to business rates in Scotland and Wales

Changes to business rates in Scotland and Wales have been welcomed by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

Scottish Finance Minister Derek Mackay proposed Barclay Review recommendations such as the move to the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead of the Retail Price Index (RPI) in the draft budget he announced in the Scottish Parliament today.

The ALMR's chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "The impact of business rates in the hospitality sector cannot be sustained, so this package of measures is good news for Scottish pubs, restaurants and clubs… larger businesses will benefit from a cut in the supplementary charge for large business premises, in line with England.

"Scotland is leading the way on business rates but there is still a real urgency for England and Wales to undertake root and branch reform of their systems, to deliver fairness to bricks and mortar businesses and hospitality operators that are among the worst hit."

However, Nicholls did welcome the a new small business rate relief scheme confirmed for Wales, which she said would "provide a boost to hospitality businesses in Wales", particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

As part of the scheme, from April 2018 companies will only be able to claim business rate relief on two properties for each local authority, which will limit how much chains can claim, and is hoped to allow the Government to support smaller businesses with relief more effectively.

Nicholls said: "This is a positive and pragmatic move from the Welsh Government, but it needs to be followed by action by the respective governments across the UK to provide the wholesale reform that was promised, and that eating and drinking out venues desperately need."

Autumn Budget 2017: Small pubs the big winners >>

Budget 2017: Business rate relief announced in spring budget >>

Hospitality bodies "disappointed" by Barclay Review of business rates in Scotland >>

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking