Rate Relief amongst plans to help retailers affected by the recent adverse weather conditions

In what has been one of the wettest February’s on record the government has put together a series of measures to assist those who have been affected by the rising water levels and localised floodings one of which being a temporary reprieve from business rate payments.

In a statement made on the issue Prime Minister David Cameron had the following message for affected retailers, “We will be deferring the tax payments that businesses have to pay, and all of the businesses that have been affected by floods will get 100% business rate relief.”

A budget has also been set aside for improvements to flood protection with eligible businesses able to claim up to £5,000 in addition to the three month break from business rates, VAT payments, corporation tax and PAYE which will be dealt with on a case by case basis by local authorities which will, in turn, be paid back by the Government.

The Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This announcement is a welcome step from Government to lessen the impact of flooding on our members in the short term. However, we must also focus on the long term and ensure that businesses have affordable flood insurance in the future.”

As usual for this time of year in Britain the weather has been a cause of disruption for many, however the recent storms have been particularly strong in The South East & West, throughout Wales and up into the North West of England.