Penneys, Brown Thomas and H&M among retailers that lobbied for 12-month rates break

Penneys, Brown Thomas and H&M were among the dozens of retail brands to lobby senior government ministers for a 12-month commercial rates cut, warning that without "urgent and decisive action", retail businesses would close.

The Retailers Rates Action Group, which included Penneys, sent a letter to Ministers Eoghan Murphy and Paschal Donohoe asking to defer commercial rates for 12 months. They were deferred for three months.

Penneys, Brown Thomas and H&M were among the dozens of retail brands to lobby senior government ministers for a 12-month commercial rates cut, warning that without "urgent and decisive action", retail businesses would close.