Cafe owner’s campaign for a cut in Wishaw business rates
But NL leader wary following reductions council already face
A Wishaw trader this week called on the council to do more to support businesses in Wishaw town centre.
Alan McCann, owner of Avenue Cafe in the Main Street, hit out after the council were given extensive powers by the Scottish Government last October to reduce non-domestic rates for businesses on a criteria of their choosing, including location and business sector.
Now Mr McCann insists his cafe is struggling for trade and has urged the council to review their business rates, saying: “They have been given the powers to do so and they must take action.
“Our Main Street has been allowed to crumble with several units closing while the council have given little consideration to business owners. Small, independent businesses like mine are struggling. The council have also not considered what effect the café in the Houldsworth Centre would have on local cafés in the surrounding area.
“Property values from 2008 – pre- recession – are being used to determine business rates. In that time property values will have changed, therefore, affecting business rates.
“The system to determine business rates is antiquated and unjust for business owners. If we want to see a bustling town centre then action has to be taken to support local businesses and encourage others into the empty shopfronts.”
Wishaw MP Marion Fellows said the economic downturn following Britain’s decision to leave the EU has made it harder for small businesses.
“When you walk through the Wishaw and Motherwell town centres, there are a number of vacant properties,” she added.
“If businesses occupied these shopfronts, this would create employment in the community and, consequently, contribute to the local economy.
“It is important that we in the community support our local businesses – especially small, independent businesses which are often family-run. When we buy local, we support people in our local community who in turn employ locally and spend locally. We can each do a little bit to build and support our communities.”
Mrs Fellows has called on the Labour- controlled local authority to take action. She continued: “They have been given extensive powers by the Scottish Government to reduce rates for local businesses,” she added.
“This would free up cash for businesses on our high street to either pay more; take on more staff; or expand their business. It would also encourage prospective entrepreneurs and reduce the number of empty shopfronts.
Council leader Jim Logue said: “We are absolutely committed to encouraging business in our town centres and have a range of measures in place to do just that.
“The council are actively exploring the implication of the new powers, which include the power to reduce business rates.
“However it is clear that any such reduction in income would have to be met from the council’s budget, which – at least in the short term – would prove extremely challenging given the reductions we have already been forced to make.”