Consistency on rates - Clutching at straws

THERE’S hardly a retail business in the county that rents its premises that is not trying to get their landlord to cut rents to reflect our new reality.

Many businesses have warned that current rent levels are unsustainable and that businesses will close unless they are cut. It is inevitable that business tenants trying to do business in the 22 local authority areas where rates have been increased will look with envy to the 12 local authority areas where rates remain unchanged.

Restoring competitiveness has become one of the mantras of the day and rates play a significant part in this challenge.

Chambers Ireland point out that the cost of living is declining, as are wages, so it is difficult to see why local authority charges are not doing likewise. It is a fair point but their call that “local authorities should pass on the benefits of the pay pause and pension levy” show that the unions are not the only groups clutching at straws and advancing self-serving analysis.