Emmet Doyle, SDLP candidate for the Moor area in Derry, has welcomed progress on the non-domestic rates re-evaluation process which is due to be completed next year, as small and medium business particularly in Derry’s city centre are struggling with huge rates bills.
Emmet Doyle.
Mr Doyle was speaking after talks with a number of smaller business in the city struggling to pay huge rates bills.
He said: “As part of the 2015 revaluation for all non-domestic properties, the valuations teams across the north and in Derry will be compiling draft values of properties which should be completed this month.
“The revaluation really can’t come quick enough, some of our sole trader businesses in the City are being asked to pay rates that were set in 2001, often being asked for thousands of pounds in rates before they pay any overheads of indeed see any profits.
“This process will update property values and rates to 2013 figures, which of course would take into consideration the dramatic effect the financial crash has had on property prices.
“We need to be promoting confidence not just in consumers, but in those who want to set up their own businesses – we have the opportunity to ensure that viable businesses that have gone to the wall in this city because of rates bills can survive and indeed thrive if a fairer rates platform is put in place.”
Mr Doyle concluded: “Ratepayers in non-domestic properties will be given updated projections in Winter 2015.”
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