Rochdale Borough Council puts help for the high street at the top of its Christmas list

 

Business Rates reduction on the cards

A radical proposal to revive the fortunes of Rochdale’s high street by dramatically reducing business rates is set to go before the council’s cabinet on 15 December.

The proposed pilot scheme in selected areas of Rochdale town centre will give new businesses moving into an empty shop a massive 80% discount on their business rates for the first year, with a further 50% cut in the second year.

Council Leader Richard Farnell, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which will be a huge boost to our high street and major step forward in reviving our town centre.

“Business rates are one of the single biggest obstacles facing new businesses and a key reason why many ultimately fail. Nationally over 31,000 independent shops failed in 2013 alone.

“We cannot reverse the decline on our high street - which is mirrored in towns up and down the country - without dealing with this critical issue. Big reductions in business rates will hopefully see new shops open, help bring more shoppers and breathe new life into the town centre.”

The scheme will cover 23 units which are currently empty on Yorkshire Street, South Parade, The Walk and Baillie Street. It is aimed at tackling the high vacancy rate, which is currently 13.5% nationally and 22.7% in Rochdale town centre.