Business Meeting Tackles Issue Of Business Rates

Business owners of Dover have met to discuss the issue of business rates, which many feel are too high compared with other towns in Kent. Especially hard hit are traders in the town centre.

Dover Town Centre Management boss David Somers invited Councillor Manion to the meeting to explain how rates were assessed.

Mr Somers is keen that businesses were working on a level playing field. He said: "Business is tough in Dover and all we are asking for is a level playing field".

He commented further "Businesses I meet are all working hard to deliver quality goods and services to the people of Dover.

"Dover needs these businesses and more should be done to support them."

David will be talking to other traders and asking them what they feel about the rates issue.

"This matter will be taken up with the valuation office" he said.

Others Dover Town Centre Management members present represented businesses from the IT, hospitality and leisure industries. Members of the business community meet once every eight weeks to thrash out business issues affecting them.

Any business that has issues affecting them that they would like to discuss further are welcome to attend the Business Support Group meetings. Non-members can attend as well as any TCM member.

The next meeting of the Business Support Group will be held on April 9th at 9.30am at McDonalds Restaurant in Biggin Street, Dover.