It’s feared a shake up of commercial rates in Clare will see businesses facing higher bills, which will discourage new investment in the county’s towns.
The government has confirmed that a Valuation Order will be signed before the end of the year for a number of counties, including Clare, kick starting a process which will likely see the prices change.
Junior Minister John Paul Phelan confirmed in the Dáil before their recess that an order will be signed before the end of this year to re-examine commercial rates in Clare.
The process will mean a more up-to-date valuation of commercial and industrial properties will be calculated, meaning a change in what business owners are paying is highly likely.
But how that will effect different parts of the county remains to be seen – and Clare County Council is bound by government directive on any potential changes.
President of Ennis Chamber of Commerce Gwen Culligan fears in a town like Ennis, they’ll be hit hard by this shake up.
Previous revaluations have taken around two years in other counties so it could be 2021 or 2022 before revised bills are issued in Clare.
Mary Kelly of Kelly’s Newsagents on O’Connell Street in Ennis is concerned that they’ll be left in limbo.
And she feels if the rates in the county town do increase, it will mean no new businesses will be opening there.
Meanwhile, it’s feared a commercial rate hike for the hospitality sector could be very worrying for a county like Clare.
The VAT rate for the sector rose from 9% to 13.5% on January 1st, bringing it back in line with the pre-recession payable rate.
Allen Flynn of The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis says they’re already operating in deeply uncertain territory and a commercial rate hike would be very damaging.
Meanwhile, Clare County Council is assuring business owners across the county that any changes to their commercial rates bills won’t happen overnight.
Acting Head of Finance Noeleen Fitzgerald says the experience of other counties would suggest otherwise.
