More support for Morley Traders?



Morley Town Centre



We have welcomed a new business rate scheme which is being considered by Leeds City Council. If the scheme is adopted then new businesses in Morley may be able to claim 3 years of business rate reduction proposed at an 80% reduction for the first year of operation, 50% for the second and 20% relief for the third year.

We have been campaigning for the change for several years as this is exactly what new businesses in Morley need to help them to get established and provides that support through rate relief that can make the difference between a business surviving or going under. This is the kind of support we need to continue to maintain Morley as a thriving town centre.



The present national rate relief scheme has been criticised for offering support for micro businesses where the new scheme will support new independent traders who can show that their business has the potential to create new jobs.

My colleague Cllr Judith Elliott who sits on the Town Centre Management Board has said “This is what Morley Chamber of Trade has been asking for many years. We have previously met with the MP and the Business Rates section at Leeds City Council to lobby for this help for new businesses setting up in Morley. I am delighted our lobbying has been successful and this new programme has been proposed.”

The proposal will go out to consultation through the business community over the next few weeks with a decision taking on the scheme later in the year. I would hope that this is a no brainer and the sooner we get this support to out Town centre Traders the better!