Council bosses have unveiled details of a £600,000 rates relief plan aimed at safeguarding struggling Perthshire businesses.
The shake-up has been proposed following repeated calls for extra help against “disproportionate” business rates from city centre traders.
The new scheme, which is thought could benefit more than 300 companies across the region, will go before Perth and Kinross Council’s strategy policy and resources committee on Wednesday, June 15.
If approved, the local authority will use discretionary powers to extend existing business rates relief schemes to ensure that more businesses qualify for their support.
The move is aimed at firms which, at the moment, fall outwith business relief schemes – not just in the city centre, but across the Perthshire patch.
And the council has specifically said that any businesses which offer sales of so-called legal highs need not apply.
Council leader Ian Miller said the plan represented a potential investment of £600,000. “This proposal is a clear message to our local businesses that Perth and Kinross Council has been listening,” he said.
“We are proud of the strong independent business tradition in the area and know that times have been challenging as we adjust to 21st century retail and visitor habits.”
He added: “While there has been a lot of publicity about the impact these changes have had on Perth city, it is important to recognise that businesses in our towns are facing these exact same changes.
“I believe that this scheme will benefit a significant number of independent businesses across Perth and Kinross and shows that this council supports business and will continue to work with the private sector to make this an attractive and thriving area to visit.”
Proposals include expanding the existing Small Business Bonus Scheme which currently offers financial protection to those with rateable values up to £12,000.
The council wants to top-up about 20% of local businesses which receive about 25% relief through the bonus scheme. This would benefit an estimated 200 companies.
The local authority will also be urged to consider relief for about 85 businesses with a rateable value of between £18,000 and £25,000 and a further 35 firms with values of £25,000 to £30,000.
Shops offering new psychoactive substances (NPS), off-sales, bookmaking or gaming will not be included in the plan.
More relief will be given to new occupants at previously empty properties. It is proposed they will receive a 50% relief for up to six months in this financial year.
The plan has been welcomed by local MP Pete Wishart, who hosted a seminar for local businesses alongside MSP John Swinney.
“The meeting listened carefully to the views of business in the city centre and enabled all of us with an interest in the economic health of the city to take on board a lot of the challenges businesses are facing in our shared pursuit of a better more vibrant Perth,” he said.
“I am extremely pleased that the Council, too, is listening to the call of local business and these enterprising proposals demonstrate a real initiative and commitment to local business on the part of the political leadership of the Council.”
