A MEETING has been called to discuss “huge” increases in business rates which are threatening to force some shops in South Warrington to close.
The meeting has been arranged by Lymm parish councillor Graham Gowland and will take place at Lymm Village Hall, Pepper Street, Lymm on Tuesday, May 16 at 7.30
Among the speakers will be Andy Carson, revaluation and market analysis team leader of the Valuation Office Agency and Mark Watkins, exchequer manager of Warrington Borough Council on Non Domestic Rates.
Cllr Gowland said: “A lot of businesses in Lymm and Stockton Heath have seen huge increases in their business rates.
“The meeting will cover valuations, exemptions and rates relief and how to appeal rateable values.
“By the date of the meeting the borough council should have in place its policy on rates relief – or how they are helping local businesses survive the increases.
“For some businesses, this could be the final straw – I know of one small shop that is seeing a sudden increase of £8,000 pa that could be the end for them.”
The open meeting will not be discussing individual valuations.
