 Gower Labour Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM has welcomed a double boost of investment into town centres and high streets across Wales. The Welsh Labour Government announced an extra £5m to extend the high street rates relief scheme in 2018-19 – helping shops and pubs to pay their business rates. This was closely followed by an announcement that a further £7.595m of the Town Centre Loans Fund would be released to help revitalise high streets up and down Wales. The loans include £2,000,000 for Swansea. Swansea Council intends to utilise the loan funding on sites in Swansea City Centre. The scheme is aimed at commercial property owners, enabling them to improve their empty and underutilised properties and bring them back into beneficial use. Rebecca Evans said: “The measures will help shops and pubs which are affected by the current economic conditions and competition from online and out-of-town providers.” “I think both of these schemes show the innovative vision the Welsh Labour Government has to deliver diversified town centres across the country, which will create the right environment for businesses to grow and thrive.” The business rates scheme, which is unique to Wales, will provide additional support to around 13,000 small and medium-sized high street businesses across the country, including shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs and wine bars. The Welsh Government-funded scheme, will provide eligible businesses with a reduction of up to £750 from their non-domestic rates bills. Meanwhile, the Town Centre Loans Fund is part of the £27.595m Vibrant and Viable Places programme which is helping to support town centre regeneration in 17 areas of Wales. Notes Information on the Vibrant and Viable Places Town Centres Loan Fund can be found here: http://gov.wales/topics/housing-and-regeneration/regeneration/vibrant-and-viable-places/town-centre-loans-fund/?lang=en Comments are closed.
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