This is how Stroud’s retailers are getting a business boost
Published: Monday, 18 March, 2019
Stroud District Councillors voted to give businesses a helping hand by adopting a new business rates discount scheme at the recent Strategy & Resources committee meeting.
Around 186 businesses in the Stroud district will benefit from the discount which is one third of the bill after mandatory and other discretionary reliefs have been applied, and totals over £458,000. The money will be reimbursed to the council by the Government as part of a new initiative to help high street retailers.
Businesses to benefit include shops, cafes and hair and beauty salons that have a rateable value of less than £51,000. Some businesses will already have had their business rates reduced under a scheme adopted by Stroud District Council two years ago.
Stroud business Bateman’s (Sports) Ltd is one of the businesses to benefit from the business rates discount.
“This is a welcome offer,” said owner Andy Bateman. “It is the start of what we all need to do to survive in business.”
Cllr Doina Cornell, Leader of Stroud District Council said:
“We’re very aware of the pressure our high street businesses are under and how much local people care about keeping our towns vibrant, so this is a practical way we can help.”
The business rates relief were applied to the 2019/20 bills when they were issued last week. Application forms are being issued in other cases to verify whether the qualifying conditions are met.