Roll up for rate relief (From Stroud News and Journal)

Roll up for rate relief

RATHER amazingly Stroud District Council is having trouble giving money away. The council has been authorised to give firms in areas hard-hit by foot and mouth disease a six-month relief from business rates. But so far few people have come forward to claim the relief. "We have been disappointed by the small number of applications," said Martyn Harwood, the council's director of corporate services.

"We want to urge small businesses to contact the business rate section at the council for an application form."

A copy of the form can also be found on the council's website at www.stroud.gov.uk

Business Link Gloucestershire is also offering support for non-agricultural businesses affected by the disease and is keen to hear from anyone who may be eligible.

"Trade may have improved since the initial months of the crisis," said Keith Rog, vice chairman for the Gloucestershire Federation of Small Businesses.

"But the seasonal nature of much of the rural economy means businesses may not have built up enough surplus during this summer to tide them over the winter months.

"We are aware that there are still difficult months ahead and we encourage small businesses to take advantage of the various schemes available to them."

The district council's business rate section can be contacted on 01453 754865 and the e-mail address is revenue.services@stroud.gov.uk

The office also has information on other schemes offering help and support which it will happily pass on.

The telephone number for Business Link Gloucestershire is 01242 864150 and its e-mail is recoveryfandm@glos.businesslink.co.uk