Concern for pubs
Residents of St Albans have been urged to sign a petition calling for a reduction in the new business rates for pubs.
The plea has come from members of St Albans City and District Council’s Planning, Resources and Housing Scrutiny Committee.
More than 4,000 people have already signed the e-petition set up by campaign group Save St Albans Pubs.
Councillors discussed the petition at a meeting of the full Council last month and now the Committee has called on people to pledge their support.
The new business rates come into effect on April 1 and were set by the Government following a revaluation of business properties.
Some pubs in the District face rises in their rateable values while others have seen a reduction.
Councillor Roma Mills, the Committee’s Chair, said: “The new business rates will come into effect very soon and there is clearly considerable concern about the effect they will have on our local economy.
“Many of our pubs will be hit with substantial and disproportionate increases and there is fear that this could see some of them go out of business. Pubs play a major role in our communities and also provide employment, so naturally we are
concerned.”
The Save St Albans Pubs petition can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/183859
Councillor contact:
Councillor Roma Mills, Chair of the Planning, Resources and Housing Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District
Council.
Tel: 01727 837319
Email: Cllr.R.Mills@stalbans.gov.uk
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council. Tel: 01727-296130 Email:
john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk