High street retailers to get support with their rates bills.

Aberavon AM, David Rees, has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that High street businesses and other retailers across Aberavon will continue to receive help with their rate bills again this year.

The Welsh Government is investing £24.2m to enhance and extend its high street rates relief scheme in 2020-21.

Around 15,000 small and medium sized businesses across Wales, including shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs will continue to receive support to pay their rates bills.

David Rees AM said: “This scheme is about backing businesses on high streets across Aberavon,  in Skewen, Briton Ferry, Taibach, Port Talbot and other areas. This is in addition to the £230m the Welsh Labour Government provides to help businesses pay their bills, ensuring that half of them pay no rates at all.”

“The current economic conditions and competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres are having an impact on our high streets. Whilst these offer services to local people our high streets and small businesses are the heart of our communities and are where many still shop, work, eat and socialise.”

“This Welsh Government scheme will ensure that our local high street retailers receive support to pay their bills and can continue to provide much-needed services to their local communities.”

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Notes to editors:

1. For further information please see https://gov.wales/written-statement-extension-high-street-and-retail-rates-relief-2020-21.