Minister speaks to local business about small business rates relief

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Minister speaks to local business about small business rates relief

Lisburn City Centre Management and local businesses recently welcomed the Minister of Finance and Personnel at a Lisburn City Centre Partnership meeting to provide an update on the Small Business Rates Relief proposals currently under consultation.
Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, launched a consultation at the end of June that proposes increasing the amount of rate relief for small businesses, which would be funded by a levy on the largest retail premises.
The proposals are intended to rebalance the rating system during the economic downturn, helping to create the right conditions for recovery. The measures include broadly doubling the amount of rate relief provided to small businesses, without it being a draw on the public purse.

Minister Wilson said: “The Executive wants to create the right conditions for a sustained economic recovery. The proposals in the consultation paper are about co-existence in the market place, not favouring small over large businesses.

“The downturn has been very difficult for most sectors of the economy but some have fared better than others during this period. The large retail sector is a case in point. I think it is right that additional small businesses get help and that this should be funded by asking the largest retailers to pay more. These two main changes, if agreed by the Executive and Assembly following consultation, would apply for three years. The measures would be redistributive in nature and broadly self funding. One policy is dependent on the other. There should not be any further pressure on the public purse.”

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management commented “This partnership meeting has provided a forum for some local businesses to find out more about the proposed changes to the current rates relief scheme and to have some questions answered. I would urge more businesses in Lisburn, to respond to the consultation – not simply to voice an opinion but to offer evidence of the benefits and drawbacks of the proposals. Lisburn City Centre Management is also completing a study into the affects any changes would have on city centre businesses and will be submitting this to the Ministers office.”

The consultation will run for 16 weeks ending on Tuesday 18 October 2011 so that the final measures could be in place from 1 April 2012 for a three year period through to 31 March 2015. More information available at www.dfp.gov.uk/consultation-zone

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Minister speaks to local business about small business rates relief

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Bridge Street & Castle Gardens Festival

Bridge Street & Castle Gardens Festival
4th May 11am-7.30pm

This one off festival will be full of arts, theatre, history and heritage to mark the end of the Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative. With outdoor children’s theatre, workshops, lots of entertainment and food during the day and fantastic folk music in the late afternoon its a fantastic free day out not to be missed. For a list of whats on throughout the day click here .

Family Fun
Castle Gardens is the main focus of activities with children’s theatre performed by Young at Arts and Premier Circus School; Entertainment, face painting, balloons; Arts and craft workshops and a marquee full of drinks, food and all things good. A day filled with family fun activities and the chance to learn and create in the process!

Music
Bring a picnic and spend the early evening in Castle Gardens listening to the sounds of two excellent folk and bluegrass bands. Space limited, no glass bottles allowed.

Southern Tenant Folk Union 6pm–7.30pm
One of the most highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass bands in the UK today, Southern Tenant Folk Union have just released their fifth album (Hello Cold Goodbye Sun) and since starting out in 2006 have toured their exciting live show all over the UK, Ireland, Netherlands & Germany. A seven piece all acoustic band with banjo, mandolin, fiddle & harmony vocals they perform an eclectic mix of high energy atmospheric folk. Artistically successful, award winning as well as being a captivating live act they now sell out arts centres across Europe.

Wookalily 5pm–5.45pm
This female-led band have been wooing and wowing audiences up and down the land with their compelling, jazzy blend of bluegrass, folk and country. On their recent trip to Nashville, where they’d been selected for the IBMA songwriter showcase and EBMA band showcase at The World of Bluegrass Week, they were warmly welcomed into the Daughters Of Bluegrass family. Their style, sometimes referred to among the Lilys as chillbilly roots, has an old-timey feel with a young-timey appeal.

Heritage
There will be lots of historic and heritage activities with highlights including:
Blacksmith Workshops
Taster blacksmithing classes at the R-Space Courtyard. Come along have a go and leave with an exceptional piece of functional art you will make yourself. Workshops last approx one hour and cost just £5 call Lisburn City Centre Management to book on 028 9266 0625.

Exhibitions
Call into the two pop up galleries on Bridge Street to see artwork and photography from Bridge Street Past and Present and charting the impact of Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative and Heritage Lottery Funded Regeneration.

Castle Gardens Tours
Free tours of the site of the former Lisburn Castle by Lisburn Museum Staff. Tours last approx one hour, meet at main entrance.

If you are interested in trading at this event please contact Claire on 028 92660625 or Claire@lisburnccm.co.uk for more information or click here to download application form.