Businesspeople in Limerick may face extra charges in the new year

MAYOR of Limerick JOHN Moran is proposing a commercial rates increase in this week’s local budget.

The rate is a charge levied on businesspeople based on the size and type of property they operate from.

Mayor Moran has acknowledged it will impact businesses at a time of economic uncertainty.

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However, the increase is not set in stone, with the budget for next year expected to be finalised on Friday.

Some councillors are expected to offer alternatives to an increase in the charges to local businesses.

In a letter to councillors presented at a pre-budget briefing, the mayor wrote that he is trying to reduce the impact on what he described as "small and most vulnerable businesses".

"The impact of the rise will be mitigated and sometimes fully covered through proposed enhancements in the small to medium size enterprise support scheme. Additionally, in identifying additional initiatives which could be funded from the increased revenues, we have targeted proposals to increase the footfall in business areas of deal with areas of common concern

to employers and employees, like housing and security," he added.

Mayor Moran said he would be encouraging council to introduce a scheme to encourage the use of previously vacant commercial property.

"I am also proposing that occupiers of formerly vacant commercial premises would get a 50% refund of commercial rates in the first year of occupation subject to a maximum refund amount of €10,000," he added.