Saving the High Street

Rochdale Borough Council has announced a pilot scheme to encourage new business into Rochdale town centre.

For selected properties the council is offering an 80% reduction in non domestic rates for the 2015/16 year and a further 50% in 2015/16. This is significantly higher than the amounts announced by the Government for businesses occupying a long empty property.

The relief will count as state aid and would therefore probably not apply to any national multiples who may have used up their €200,000 allowance with retail relief but it will hopefully encourage some locals to take the plunge and open their first shop. Others who did so went on to great things.