Call for suite of supports for 'barely breaking even' Cork businesses

Cork City Council is to waive commercial rates for the first quarter, but interest groups say this is just the beginning of what businesses need to cover their losses

Eoin O'Sullivan, president of Cork Business Association, says a 'suite of supports' is needed to keep businesses afloat. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Business leaders in Cork City have welcomed a targeted commercial rates waiver but said the small business sector will need restart grants post-Covid.

Eoin O’Sullivan, president of Cork Business Association (CBA), said the decision by Cork City Council to defer rates payments for the first quarter of the year for businesses most impacted by level 5 restrictions was something the sector would have expected. Those restrictions have been in place since January 6.