CHAIRMAN of Cardigan Traders, butcher Keith Davies, attended the Petitions Committee at the National Assembly last week with local AM Elin Jones to hear the latest discussions on his campaign for business rate relief for independent high-street shops.

A revaluation of business rates, which would have helped firms as their rateable value has fallen during the recession, has been postponed for two years by Governments in Wales and Westminster. Elin Jones, AM for Ceredigion, and Cardigan Traders are calling for transitional help for small shops in line with a similar scheme in Scotland. A petition was submitted to the Assembly earlier this summer.

The petitions committee decided to hold a full evidence session, to hear more about the burden of business rates on high street shops.

Elin Jones, Ceredigion’s Plaid Cymru AM, said,

“I was pleased to welcome Keith Davies to the Assembly, and congratulate him for pursuing this very worthwhile campaign to ease the rate burden on our independent shops. The committee’s decision to hold an evidence session is a step forward for the campaign.

“I have been taking up this issue with the Minister, and I look forward to hearing what she has to say in her statement to the Assembly on business rates next week.

“A rate relief scheme would be a huge benefit to small shops which are so crucial to the vitality of our high streets, both in Cardigan and elsewhere.”