UKHospitality has welcomed the Northern Ireland Executive’s consultation on business rates. The trade body has also called on the UK and devolved Governments to launch full reviews of rates
UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said, “The rates review in Northern Ireland is a positive step forward from the Executive. It will give businesses a chance to air their concerns and secure the reform that will finally provide a fair business rates system fit for purpose.
'For too long, business rates have failed to reflect the realities of business in the 21st Century and high streets have been hit hard.
“This positive move needs to be followed to more widespread reform across the rest of the UK. The major parties promised a full-scale review of business rates, but they have still not delivered.'
Nicholls concluded, 'The Government in Westminster and the devolved authorities need to give us the reform that was promised and is needed. Otherwise, hospitality businesses will continue to shoulder an unfair burden and more businesses will suffer.”
