By Julie Waters
A NEWTOWNARDS business leader has welcomed new Stormont proposals to help small businesses but warned the province’s rates system is ‘outdated’ and the planning process needs reformed.
Derek Wright, president of Newtownards Chamber of Trade, has called for ‘action’ to implement new plans announced by Finance Minister John O’Dowd to accelerate the review of rates and progress changes in the business rates system.
Highlighting that Newtownards has high dereliction with 15 empty premises, he said it was ‘concerning’ that a review of all rates support would not be completed until the end of the 2027/28 rating year.
Said Mr Wright: “That is another two to three years down the line. They are still only talking about doing something, I would like to see them do it.”
Speaking in the Assembly chamber, Minister O’Dowd set out his plans to support small businesses and revitalise town centres. “Less than a year ago, my Department committed to reviewing all rates support to deliver positive and progressive change to the rating system,” he said.
“Today, I can announce that every single rates support will have been reviewed by the end of the 2027/28 rating year. Following the review process over the summer, it is now my ambition to progress enhanced support for small businesses, tackle the high level of vacancies in our towns and city centres, support businesses starting out and help accelerate business growth.”
Turning to Small Business Rate Relief support, Minister O’Dowd added: “The Small Business Rate Relief currently provides vital support for operating costs for around 30,000 small businesses. The support delivered under that scheme has, however, remained unchanged since 2012.
“I want to create a fair environment for all businesses and plan to consult before the New Year, giving businesses the chance to share final views before changes are put to Ministerial colleagues on enhancements to the support.”
Mr O’Dowd also revealed plans to charge full rates on vacant non-domestic properties, rather than the reduced rates bill which is currently charged. “What was clear from the review was the need to challenge the blight of vacant properties in our villages, towns and city centres,” said Mr O’Dowd.
“It is my view that work now needs to begin to elevate non-domestic vacant rating liability from 50% to 75% and then to 100%. I have therefore instructed my officials to take forward the policy work required to implement these changes which have the potential to unlock a further £20m of revenue between central and local government.”
Mr Wright welcomed the proposal to reform rates, saying it is such an ‘outdated system’ that charges so much to businesses in the town centre. The local business leader stressed that Northern Ireland has the ‘highest rates in the United Kingdom’ and highlighted ‘the serious decline in the High Street’.
Addressing the number of derelict premises in Newtownards town, Mr Wright said: “There are concerns that Newtownards has the highest dereliction in the borough according to a recent council report.
“However there are a lot of development sites that are stuck in planning, so the Minister also needs to reform planning. People are trying to get sites passed but it is a slow process to go through.”
Calling for some planning applications to be ‘fast tracked’, Mr Wright voiced concerns about owners of empty sites ‘being penalised’ because of planning delays.
“In the borough many applications are stuck in planning due to restrictions with water and sewage. The Minister needs to take that into consideration before penalising people with empty sites.”
Mr Wright voiced concerns about the ‘growing’ decline in the High Street saying: “The cost of living, the cost of doing business with the highest rates, high energy costs, high labour costs following the National Insurance rise, there is a big burden and we are seeing the decline in the High Street growing.”
The president warned: “If we lose our High Streets in our towns and villages, it will be a very sad cost and we will become a run-down ghetto.”
