A TOTAL of 250 businesses in Copeland have received a further discount on their rates bills.
Copeland Council, under its Discretionary Discount Scheme, has applied a further reduction to firms in the borough whose rates increased as part of a Government reassessment of rateable values in 2017.
The council has chosen to apply the discount to independent businesses, and it increases their discount for 2018-19 from 50 per cent of their rateable value increase to 70 per cent. It brings the amount of discount Copeland will apply in 2018-19 to £93,000. It follows a 100 per cent discount that was applied in 2017-18.
Revised bills will be issued to affected businesses in the coming weeks.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “We’re delighted to be increasing the amount of discount we’re offering independent businesses in the borough, including shops, pubs, garages and restaurants, from 50 per cent to 70 per cent.
“We’ve chosen to concentrate our discount on independent businesses, rather than high street chains, as we’re keen to support them in any way we can in this tough economic climate. We know this extra discount will make a significant difference.”
