Simon Danczuk MP

Fighting for Rochdale, Littleborough and Milnrow

Real value of rate relief in Rochdale is revealed

Rochdale’s MP Simon Danczuk has welcomed news that over 300 businesses in Rochdale have now been approached by the Government agency responsible for administering business rates to discuss their appeals - after an 18-month wait.

Following news last week that the Valuation Office Agency were in negotiations with traders about reduced business rates, Simon has since discovered that larger discounts are being offered than was first suggested.

One local businessman, Paul Turner Mitchell, owner of 25-Ten fashion boutique on Yorkshire Street, has been offered a business rates reduction of 19 per cent, considerably higher than the 12.5 per cent figure that the VOA said would be the highest reduction in Rochdale.

“It is great news that thousands of pounds are finally being put back in the pockets of hard-pressed traders in Rochdale. We have campaigned for nearly two years to get the VOA to realise that they were over-taxing small businesses in Rochdale,” said Simon. “If the Government wants our economy to start growing then they need to get off the backs of small businesses and offer them support instead of constantly clobbering them.”

Paul Turner Mitchell added: “This rebate is really welcome and will make a big difference. Business rates have long been the bane of retailers and the Government is asking for too much money from traders at a time when conditions are extremely challenging.”

The VOA is currently ploughing through over 1,000 business rate appeals in Rochdale and has confirmed that they will be settling another 455 cases by July this year.

Earlier this month the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce called on the Chancellor, George Osborne, to reduce the “punishing” 5.6% rise in business rates planned for April 2012.