Dover District Council calls for business rates freeze

Dover District Council is calling on the Government to freeze Business Rates as it welcomes signs of economic recovery and renewed investor confidence in the District.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council has written to both the Department for Communities and Local Government, and HM Treasury calling for the freeze and a broader review of Business Rates.

Cllr Paul Watkins, said: "Small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and we want to see the Government doing everything it can to reduce the pressure on them. Business Rates are one of the main overheads facing small businesses on the high street and we're urging the Government to freeze them to stimulate further the economic recovery.

"Freezing business rates would protect existing businesses allowing them to expand and encourage new start-ups. We are seeing positive signs of recovery with strong investor confidence across the District. We know that regenerating our high streets is a top priority for residents and we're committed to delivering an exciting leisure and retail destination at the St James's development in the heart of Dover town centre."

Dover District Council is also supporting the UK's first ever national Small Business Saturday on 7 December with free off-street parking to encourage people to shop local and support independent traders on the high street.