Falkirk firms to benefit from suspension of levy payments

Falkirk town centre businesses have been given a welcome recourse amid lockdown.
By Jonathon Reilly
Published 11th May 2020, 12:30 BST

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Falkirk Delivers, the town’s business improvement district (BID), is halting the collection of levy payments for six months to help business owners during financially challenging times.

The fees, which vary according to the rateable value of retail premises, will not be due until September.

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Meanwhile, the BID will continue to cooperate with members of a partnership set up to support local firms to survive.

Businesses in Falkirk town centre are being supported through the coronavirus crisis by Falkirk Delivers, which has suspended levy payments until September. Picture: Michael Gillen (2019).Businesses in Falkirk town centre are being supported through the coronavirus crisis by Falkirk Delivers, which has suspended levy payments until September. Picture: Michael Gillen (2019).
Businesses in Falkirk town centre are being supported through the coronavirus crisis by Falkirk Delivers, which has suspended levy payments until September. Picture: Michael Gillen (2019).

Elaine Grant, Falkirk Delivers manager, said: “We are working directly with Falkirk Council, Business Gateway and support services to navigate our business during this challenging time and looking for practical ways in which we can provide assistance and reassurance.

“As yet, there have been no government instructions regarding whether BID levy payments should change, however, we believe this is something we should go ahead with as quickly as possible and hope other business improvement districts will follow suit.

“It is not in the best interests of the town centre businesses to make their levy scheduled for the new term 2020/2021 in June at this time and we have decided to suspend them for six months from April 1, 2020.

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“Like all BIDs, Falkirk Delivers charges business owners a levy which varies according to the rateable value of their retail premises.

“The funds are then invested back into Falkirk town centre to develop projects and events aimed at increasing footfall, plus grants and schemes to improve the town centre environment for shoppers and retailers alike.

“We want to reassure businesses that we are here for you and will be working on your behalf throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We will also be ready to deliver projects which will help the town centre and our wonderful businesses to thrive once the current crisis is over.

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“I urge all businesses across the area to take full advantage of the support that is available — this is, as you can imagine, still a work in progress; it’s very new territory for all of us.”

Visit Falkirk Delivers Town Centre Business Group on Facebook for more information.

Related topics:BIDFalkirkBidsFalkirk Council