Ballymena Chamber of Commerce Lobby for Rates Reduction

Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry have written to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts asking for a reduction in both Business and Domestic Rates.

In his letter to the Interim Chief Executive, Chamber President Mark Wiggins highlighted the pressures being faced by business following the recent budget and a number of other issues affecting businesses in Northern Ireland. Mark said ‘Local businesses now have to manage a significant increase in Employers National Insurance contributions, a rise in the minimum wage, post Brexit challenges on the movement of goods as well as continued inflationary pressures’.

Mark went on to say that ‘Businesses require support to meet the current challenges they are facing and that a reduction in business rates would mean they had one less cost to absorb and could focus their energies on meeting the other challenges. These challenges not only impact on the future viability of the business but also their ability to continue to provide high quality employment to thousands of local residents’ Mark said there was no doubt that the Ballymena Area one of the leading ‘economic hubs’ in Northern Ireland and it was critical that Council take action to support business and keep the Ballymena Area as a key part of the NI Economy.

Chamber’s Chief Executive, Tom Wiggins says as a Chamber we work hard to support our members, but we are also conscious that local residents are customers supporting many businesses in the area. Therefore, a reduction in Domestic Rates would give local consumers increased purchasing power and alleviate some of the pressures families are facing.

Ballymena Chamber of Commerce regard Mid and East Antrim Borough Council as one of their key partners and acknowledge the significant effort Council has made over the years to support business in the area. Mark explained that Chamber met with the Interim Chief Executive last year and highlighted businesses concerns on what proved to be the highest rates increase in Northern Ireland. He said it was important Council took cognisance of business concerns, this year, before setting the District Rate.

In addition to the Interim Chief Executive, Chamber has also written to the lead Councillors in each of the political parties and to the independent members of Council again highlighting the issues faced and requesting a reduction in both Business and Domestic rates.

A meeting has also been arranged with the Interim Chief Executive and Ballymena Chamber intend to lobby the Executive in respect of increases to the Regional Rate.