Rates boost for Fingal retailers

Dublin People 27 Dec 2011

FINGAL retailers received a welcome boost to kick-start the new year
with the introduction of a two per cent reduction in commercial rates.

For the third consecutive year, Fingal County Council bucked the trend
by cutting the charges to ease the burden on struggling business owners.

Over the last three years the charges have been cut by 14 per cent in
total.

According to Fingal County Manager David O’Connor, each percentage
reduction reduces the overall rates burden by

?¬1.2 million.

Even at the reduced rate, the new commercial charges, which were passed
in late December and came into effect this month, will generate

?¬120.01 million
for Fingal County Council.

Mulhuddart ward councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) welcomed the cuts to the
commercial charge, which he said would secure jobs and help bring employment to
the county.

“For companies looking to locate in Ireland next year they will find
Fingal a very attractive location with rates likely to be 12.5 per cent cheaper
than South Dublin County Council and a whopping 18 per cent cheaper than Dun
Laoghaire-Rathdown,

? he stated.

“Unlike many local authorities, Fingal had pegged its rate increases
below the rate of inflation over the last 10 years so we are coming off a low
base.

“On top of that our funding from the State which makes up 22 per cent of
our income will be reduced again by nine per cent for next year, one of the
highest cuts in the country.

Tony Lambert, chief executive of Fingal Dublin Chamber, also welcomed
the cut.

“While it won’t make a lot of difference to small businesses, it’s
nevertheless a sign of Fingal taking the right approach to helping retailers,

?
Mr Lambert told Northside People.

“We had a number of discussions with the council and we are grateful
that they took our views on board.

According to Mr Lambert, cash flow is posing a significant problem for
retailers who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Bills are not being paid on time which has a domino effect whereby
business owners have difficulty paying wages,

? he explained.

“Basically, cash flow is the ultimate problem right now for shop
owners.

There was some reprieve for businesses in the Christmas period
especially when compared to last year.

“The snow and icy weather experienced at the end of 2010 had a
detrimental effect on business,

? Mr Lambert added.

“But thankfully December and the run-up to Christmas was much better
with increased footfall and spending.

“The outlook for the year ahead is one of optimism with a general sense
that things are starting to level off although the situation with the euro did
shake consumer confidence somewhat.