March 31, 2020 - 1203 views
The Deputy Leader of Conwy Borough Council and the member responsible for economic development in the county has today published an open letter to local business and business leaders.
Councillor Goronwy Edwards expressed sympathy for the impact that Coronavirus is having on the local economy and the ability of businesses to operate at this time.
I wanted to write to you, to express my heartfelt sadness at the position you are all in and through no fault of your own. The Corona Virus pandemic is gripping the world, bringing international economies to a standstill.
So on behalf of Conwy Council Borough Council, I want to state our support for you and your business. We will do whatever we can to help you through what is undeniably a difficult time, particularly coming so soon after the floods that had an impact on many businesses in our county.
Over the past couple of weeks, as the true scale of the Coronavirus pandemic has become clearer, officers and councillors at Conwy County Borough Council have been working incredibly hard to ensure that essential services to the public are maintained as far as possible. As well as working with UK and Welsh Government on the planning to help control the outbreak.
Our planning is guided by the advice from UK and Welsh Government, which is updated daily, and by the emerging picture of self-isolation within our own community. At this stage there is a strong emphasis on Social Distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus.
I know that you are all playing an important role in that, either by closing your businesses down, or by implementing safe systems to operate for your staff and the public.
I am aware of the financial hardship you will be suffering, and we in the Council are working alongside the Welsh Government who announced a £1.4bn support package for all businesses listed on the business rates register, covering Business Rate Relief and Business Grants
The Business Grant has two different components. For retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales, a grant of £25,000 will be offered for businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.
For all other sectors the Welsh Government package also provides a £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
If you do not qualify for either of the funding packages outlined above then there is help on the way following the UK Government announcement on Friday 27th March of a package of support which will be available to self-employed businesses.
I wish you all the best during these difficult times.
Yours sincerely
Cllr. Goronwy Edwards Cabinet Member for Economic Development
