Armagh public meeting to discuss potential for huge business rates hikes

by
Micheal McKenna
December 13, 2014

The potential for huge rates rises for businesses across the Armagh City and District Council area are to be addressed during a public meeting in the city this Monday, December 15.

The event takes place in the Market Place Theatre from 8.30am and will focus on the commercial property rates revaluation.

Senior Officials from Land and Property Services will be in attendance.

Local SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon explained the need for this very important meeting.

He said: “Earlier this year Land and Property Services launched a revaluation process for all non-domestic/commercial properties across Northern Ireland and, when launched, they said the aim of the exercise was to rebalance the rates burden.

“The idea was to switch the burden from small/medium sized businesses in our town and city centres and place that rates burden on the larger, multiples and out of town retail parks.

“However, as local political representatives, we have been inundated with calls from right across our business sector raising concerns about the process and how it would impact on their businesses.

“In recent weeks LPS have issued the ‘Schedule of Draft Valuations’ and you can access your individual valuation on www.dfpni.gov.uk/lps/reval2015ni.

“Many local businesses have seen the ‘rental value’ of their property jump, with some reporting anything in the region of a 30 to 40% increase in ‘rental value’ and, whilst this doesn’t necessarily mean rates will go up, this is deeply concerning and has caused real fear in the local business community.”

Land and Property Services will give a presentation at the Market Place Theatre on the valuation process and what has yet to happen.

The LPS team will be on hand to explain the appeals process and to discuss your individual cases if you wish.

If you can attend, email your confirmation to thomas.ohanlon@armagh.gov.uk, or phone or text 077 43930427 to assist with event planning.