Antrim Chamber, with 23 leading business organisations across Northern Ireland, has issued an open letter to all MLAs and MPs calling for fair business rates support.
While the recent UK Budget provided 40% rates relief to English high street businesses to offset increased Employer’s National Insurance and Living Wage costs, Northern Ireland’s businesses – already paying the UK’s highest rates – received no such support.
Our coalition, representing businesses contributing billions to the local economy, urgently calls on the Finance Minister to:
- Match England’s 40% rates relief scheme using the Barnett consequential
- Support businesses facing unprecedented cost pressures
- Enable job creation and economic growth
Previously, despite Northern Ireland receiving Barnett consequential funding meant for 75% rates relief, local businesses received no reduction as funds were redirected within the Stormont Budget.
Urgent meetings have been requested with the First and deputy First Ministers, Finance and Economy Ministers, and Secretary of State to address this critical situation.
Please support our campaign
- Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive, Retail NI
- Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster
- Joanna Maxwell, Chairperson, Antrim Chamber of Commerce
- Brian McLister, Chair, Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce
- Tom Wiggins, Chief Executive, Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Winifred Mellet, Chair, Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce
- Donal O’Reilly, Secretary, Banbridge Chamber of Commerce
- Frank Shivers, President, Bangor Chamber of Commerce
- Clare Guinness, Chief Executive, Belfast Chamber of Trade
- Damien Corr, Manager, Cathedral Quarter BID
- Karen Yates, Chief Executive, Causeway Chamber
- Jamie Hall, Manager, Coleraine BID
- Patrick Blake, Chairperson, Enniskillen BID
- Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive, Food NI
- Brian McRandal, Chair, Larne Business Forum
- Ruth Young, Chair, Lisburn Chamber of Commerce
- Anna Doherty, Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
- Eamonn Connolly, Manager, Newry BID
- Michael Savage, Chief Executive, Newry Chamber Chamber of Commerce & Trade
- Derek Wright, President, Newtownards Chamber of Trade
- Michael Henderson, Chief Executive, NI Food to Go Association
- John Edgar, President, Omagh Chamber of Commerce
- Kieran Kennedy, Chair, Strabane BID
- Martina Connolly, Chief Executive, Belfast One BID
