City-centre firms fear rates rise

BUSINESS leaders in Cork have appealed that rates not increase next year because many have suffered a severe drop in trade due to a the general economic downturn and work on the main drainage project.

Last year businesses paid €38.8 million in rates and the figure for this year is estimated at €43.2 million.

Senior representatives from the Cork Business Association (CBA), told the lord mayor that a number of retailers had experienced a major drop in trade due to the drainage works and they were looking for, at minimum, a promise that rates would not be increased next year.