Whilst many of us, myself included have been quick to scathe those responsible when things don’t go according to plan, as business owners we should all be breathing a slight sigh of relief and welcome the additional discount applied to our business rates bill this year.

It was with some welcome surprise that business owners received the years rates bill which directed by the government has had a further discount applied to it which we should all be grateful for. I am sure I speak for a majority of the towns businesses when I say we all look towards the summer months for increased visitor numbers and an increase in business generally as so many businesses rely on the substantial increase in trade in a seaside town to see them through the winter months and with the likely hood of cheaper electricity bills on their way we may be able to have the lights on and see where we are going as well as keep warm.

In the current climate we are all looking to blame someone when things go wrong especially when they affect the running of our business but it this case it does appear that the Government anticipated the situation that so many businesses up and down the country were facing and applied the additional discount to assist those who have found it tough over the last few months, so whatever your opinion of them maybe, and many now feel as though the current rates system should be abolished, with talk of the Landlords being made responsible for any payments due , which would inevitably have an effect on the rent charged for business premises, in this set of circumstances I think they have acted a little quicker than they did when Covid first struck and actually got it right.