Rate relief boost for Bilston Market traders hit by lockdown
Market traders in the Black Country have been handed a rate relief boost that could save some of them from going out of business.
Dozens of stall holders on Bilston Market were pushed to the brink when they were forced to shut up shop due to the coronavirus lockdown.
And the situation was made worse by the fact that because they pay their rates collectively to Wolverhampton Council, none of them were eligible for government schemes offering rate relief and business interruption grants.
Now Wolverhampton Council has agreed to rate each business individually – meaning they will all now qualify for support.
Jag Sandhu, 56, who runs Sedgemoor Textiles in the indoor market, said traders were "absolutely delighted" with the news.
He said: "It's hugely important. We have been trying for years to get the rates separated and it could not have come at a better time considering the crisis the country is facing.
"We can now plan to get up and running again knowing that we have something to fall back on."
Mr Sandhu, who has run his stall for 14 years, says he hopes to reopen in early June. Food traders returned to the market last week.
Essential
The issue had been raised with the local authority by Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, the Shadow Economic Secretary.
He said: "This is great news for the Bilston Market traders.
"It would have been a tragedy if they had missed out on essential help because of the history of the way they pay their rates. I have been pressing the valuation office and the council on this for some time.
"Now that the businesses are to be individually rated it opens the door for them to receive rates relief and the business interruption grants which have been established to help small businesses through this crisis.
"I hope the necessary applications can be turned around quickly so that this vital help reaches the traders as soon as possible.
"Bilston Market is essential to the life of the town and it’s important to help the traders there through this very difficult period."
