Clwyd West AM Darren Millar visited Colwyn Bay’s British Heart Foundation (BHF) shop this week to learn more about how proposed changes to business rates will lead to a loss of income for the charity and more empty shops on high streets across Wales.
A recent report commissioned by the Welsh Government calls for cuts to the rate relief given to charity shops in Wales. BHF Cymru shop staff and volunteers in Colwyn Bay told Darren that those changes would mean substantial hikes in business rates and threaten their shop’s survival.
Darren said:
"The British Heart Foundation are doing fantastic work throughout Wales and their shops are a vital income source. High streets shops are already struggling in the current economic climate, and many will not survive these substantial business rates hikes.
"The staff at the Colwyn Bay shop told me they are extremely concerned about the changes and the impact they will have on the shop. Charity shops need more support and the Welsh Government should be thinking about a reduction in business rates for them, not bumping them up.
"Empty shops are a symptom of decline, can be a security concern, and can create a downward cycle in the attractiveness of town centres to new businesses and shoppers. There are already too many in our town centres, we don’t want any more."
Jacqui Webb, Area Manager for BHF shops, said: "We’re delighted that Darren dropped in to our Colwyn Bay shop to hear our concerns and meet staff and volunteers.
"Donated goods are the lifeblood of the fight against heart disease and donations to this shop alone have already helped us provide locally five healthcare practitioners and specialist heart nurse and 21 Hear Start groups in local schools which enable pupils to be trained in emergency life-saving skills.
"If these rate proposals go ahead our Colwyn Bay shop would need to find extra cash to pay on their annual rates bill – an extra £150,000 countrywide if all our shops in Wales stayed open."
Picture Caption: Jackie Webb, Area Manager for British Heart Foundation, with Darren Millar AM and Hayley West, Colwyn Bay Store Manager, British Heart Foundation.