Mint and Mustard, Bar 44 and Barry mayor on tax rise

In the latest funding settlement, which kicks in in April 2024, in order to boost funding for the ailing NHS in Wales, the Welsh Government is picking the pockets of other sectors of business and culture.

This includes shops, restaurants and pubs who will see their rates relief, which was brought in to support business in the pandemic, drop.

In a further kick in the teeth for Wales’ high street, the rates relief will continue to be 75 per cent in England.

There has been an outpouring of fury from businesses in the Vale.

Mint and Mustard general manager Ram Sapkota said the government should be trying to help business.

“The government is supposed to help businesses sustain and retain them,” said Mr Sapkota.

“We already have problems. You can see it in high street shops closing."

Bar 44 Group chief Natalie Isaac, whose family run a hugely popular tapas eatery on Windsor Road in Penarth, told the BBC the rate relief decrease could cost her business anywhere between £500 and £1,000.

GM of Mint and Mustard Ram Sapkota says government should be supporting business (Image: Supplied)

Natalie Isaac (far right) of Bar 44 says the rate relief reduction could cost her business as much as £1,000 (Image: Newsquest)

In Barry, the town council’s leader, Plaid’s Ian Johnson said the announcement was a “huge blow”.

Cllr Johnson said: “Those in larger properties, or the very centre of town will face a substantial extra bill next year as a result of this change by the Labour Government.

“For those of us who have argued for a town centre first approach, where we promote our local shopping centres and try to build up our community around them, this is a huge blow.”

How's your high street faring? (Image: Google Maps)

John Davies, Penarth Business Group chair, says an opportunity has been missed in the latest budget (Image: Supplied)

Penarth Business Group chair John Davies said the latest government settlement was a chance to level the playing field between online and the high street, something that, yet again has been missed.

Mr Davies said: “While it is commendable to see funding for the NHS maintained, high streets across Wales, including Penarth, need support now more than ever before.

“High streets face unprecedented challenges and everything must be done to support them.

“This could have been the opportunity to level the playing field between high street and online businesses, who are known for not paying enough tax.”

The Welsh Government and the Vale Council were contacted for comment.

Another kick in the teeth for business? What do you think of your local high street? Is it thriving, or does it need more support? Let us know in comments, on Facebook, or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.