news
Good news for Dunstable businesses
07 April 2010
Some Dunstable businesses which are empty or close to empty shops are to get business rate reductions from the 1st April, the Valuation Officer for Dunstable, Mark Catley, has revealed in a letter to South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous. The valuation officer has been able to make these reductions because the large number of empty shops constitutes a “material change in circumstances”. As the number of empty shops reduces, the reduction in business rates will be withdrawn over time.
Andrew Selous said “I am delighted by this news. It will not help all Dunstable businesses, but it will help some that are struggling to pay their business rates. I am very pleased that the Valuation Officer has acted after I asked him to come to meet local shopkeepers, Councillors, officers and community groups on the 5th February at Grove House in Dunstable.. I would like to pay tribute to the work of Central Bedfordshire Council, Dunstable Town Council, the Federation of Small Businesses, Long Live Dunstable, the Dunstable Business Forum and the Dunstable and Houghton Regis Area Focus Group who all worked together with assistance from Geoff Alexander of Alexander’s commercial property agents in the town to achieve these rate reductions.”
