£31.8 million worth of business rates relief delivered in Wolverhampton
Almost £32 million worth of business rates relief has been delivered across Wolverhampton amid coronavirus.
Wolverhampton Council has applied the discounts – totalling £31.8 million – to eligible businesses to help them survive the pandemic.
It comes after Government chiefs announced a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England.
Councillor Harman Banger, cabinet member for city economy, said: "The coronavirus outbreak is having a major impact on our city businesses.
"Various Government measures have been put in place to support them during this difficult time and we are ensuring they receive these benefits swiftly to help ease the pressure they are feeling.
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"We have also taken extra steps as a council to help protect our business community now and give them the best chance of recovery in the long term.
"Rest assured, we will make sure every business is supported in whichever way possible."
All new bills for businesses which quality for the relief should be issued by the end of April.
Wolverhampton Council has already suspended court action for recovery of business rates and is issuing notices to businesses encouraging them to get in touch.
New cases requiring enforcement action have been suspended and chiefs are negotiating repayments for struggling businesses.
Enquiries are being dealt with as "quickly as possible" with the business rates team dealing with a high volume of calls.
