Budget business rate relief welcomed for Cheshire town centres

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 19:15 · Archive

The Budget will exempt 70,000 more businesses from business rates, excluding vape shops and betting shops.

The Budget announced by Chancellor John Healey includes measures to support small businesses and town centres. Seventy thousand more businesses will now pay no business rates, except vape shops and betting shops.

Dan Price, Labour & Co-op candidate for mayor of Cheshire and Warrington, said: 'Independent businesses are the lifeblood of our market towns, and this Budget gives them room to breathe.' He pledged that as mayor he would work with business and the Government to help restore high streets across the region.

Price has committed to introducing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in every town across Cheshire. These would receive two years of fully funded support to demonstrate their impact before businesses are asked to fund them long-term. Existing BIDs would also receive additional funding. The support would come from the Mayoral Investment Fund, worth £21.7 million per year, which can be allocated to transport, skills and high street regeneration.

Cheshire and Warrington will elect its first mayor in May 2027, with the new funding and powers taking effect from next year. The Chancellor also announced a wider devolution package giving mayors new borrowing powers and allowing regions to retain a share of locally raised tax receipts.

How it is being reported

• Business rate relief welcomed as boost for Cheshire town centresThousands more businesses will pay no business rates under Budget measures welcomed by Cheshire mayoral candidate Dan Price.Northwich Guardian · 28 Oct, 18:30
• Business rate relief welcomed as boost for Cheshire town centresThousands more businesses will pay no business rates under Budget measures welcomed by Cheshire mayoral candidate Dan Price.Warrington Guardian · 28 Oct, 18:30

In this story: Dan Price · John Healey · Cheshire and Warrington · Labour & Co-op

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log