Smaller Traders Slam CBI On Big Store Levy

There's a major rift developing today between smaller and larger traders with news that the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has slammed the larger companies' trade group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) comments on a proposed large store levy in NI.

The big business lobby group is opposing the Stormont Executive's plan to introduce a levy on larger shops.

The DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is considering introducing a levy to make large stores pay more rates while charging smaller businesses less in a scheme aimed at halting the decline of the high street and supporting small shop-owners.

However, the CBI said the proposal is at odds with the executive's claim of putting the economy first.

Northern Ireland Chairman, Terence Brannigan, described it as an ill thought through proposal, which would damage efforts to encourage retail investment in Northern Ireland.

He also said it would undermine city and town centre regeneration as about 60% of those forced to pay more will be shops in town centres rather than those in out-of-town locations.

But, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, the Finance Minister defended the proposal, adding that he would carefully consider all submissions he receives from the business community.

Meanwhile, NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts (pictured) said: "It is disappointing that the CBI has come out against the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme and failed to recognise that these proposals have widespread support amongst local small businesses and independent traders.

"While the CBI make some constructive suggestions in their submission they simply do not understand the difficulty that thousands of struggling local small businesses have in paying their rates.

"What this scheme offers is support for nearly 9,000 local small businesses and independent traders which will help many survive and indeed take on more staff," he said, adding that NIIRTA will shortly be publishing its own Five Point Rates Plan to outline further options."

Mr Wilson has defended his proposal and rejected a commentator's view that such a levy would force big stores to invest elsewhere - perhaps in Scottish stores - if the 'tax' was imposed on them.

He argued that the big stores have done very well out of NI and continue to do so, even in a recession situation.

(BMcC/GK)