TWO councillors have renewed their calls for Warrington Borough Council to provide a rates reduction for traders throughout Culcheth and Glazebury.
Cllrs Matt Smith and Chirs Vobe are asking the authority to reduce the amount of business rates for each firm in the villages as a “goodwill gesture” following the lengthy closure of Wilton Lane last year.
Their renewed calls come following extensive electricity works throughout the area, which they say cut off access to business on Common Lane for long periods.
Cllr Smith (pictured right) said: “In Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, we value our local businesses and the services they provide to the community. It is vital that we help our small to medium firms thrive, so that they can continue to offer jobs for Warrington people and, in turn, boost the growth of our economy. Traders have still yet to receive any recompense from the council for the loss of custom they suffered from the poorly-managed closure of Wilton Lane.
“It is only right that the council acknowledges the impact of these works and offer assistance to Culcheth and Glazebury businesses. As local councillors, we will continue to support all our businesses and work to ensure they get a fair deal.”
Cllr Vobe (pictured left) added: “The council should not be seeking to brush this issue under the proverbial carpet. The recent electricity works have only added to the problems with loss of trade. During the extensive works on Common Lane, the council failed to erect signs to tell motorists that the businesses were still open. That was nothing short of a blunder which should have been avoided.
“During the works, one restaurant faced an evening where, 45 minutes after opening time, they hadn’t had a single customer through the door.
“The council must play their part in helping to give traders a much-needed boost. We are not seeking a permanent rates reduction – but it is right to give shop owners a ‘helping hand’. That is why I extend an invitation for the council’s Executive Director to come to the village and meet with the traders. Instead of polishing their CVs with elaborate forward plans, council officers need to ground themselves in reality and show business owners that the authority is on their side.”
Both councillors have pledged not to let the matter rest and are writing to local traders to update them on the progress of their campaign.
They launched the scheme earlier in 2013 alongside Warrington North MP Helen Jones and the owner of Culcheth’s “forget-me-not toys and books” Naomi Simpson.
Cllr Matt Smith
Rate reduction campaign stepped up
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
6 Comments
But if the road has been dug up by the electricity company, why aren’t they asking the electricity company for compensation rather than the council. Are these two up for election, they come over as a pair of publicity seekers.
Councillors should realise that business rates are NOT set by the local authority money raised for business rates goes straight to central government who then decide where any grants are to go. It was the Labour government who introduced this appalling mess under the Blair administration effectively taking millions of pounds away from councils like Warrington who at that time had an industrial base.
Please get your facts in order before making comments councillors
If there is a bandwagon to jump on then these two are at the front of the queue. Reference an earlier comment facts are irrelevant, it is an opportunity to see their photo online that counts. I had a chuckle at “not a single customer through the door”, were they all married?
You’re spot on eagle…..they love publicity especially if it involves them doing very little for it!!
If HS2 comes to Culcheth, all the shops will close down.
As both these guys support HS2 I wonder what they’ll be saying then?
How about a rates reduction for ALL Warrington residents as a consequence of the Labour Council cutting services like the weekly bin collections? I pay more and get less…. have their allowances dropped as a result of the cuts I wonder?