23 Business Groups Call For Urgent Rates Relief For High Street Businesses

A powerful coalition of twenty-three business organisations, Chambers of Commerce, and Business Improvement Districts from across Northern Ireland has issued an open letter to MLAs and MPs, urging the implementation of similar rates relief for high street businesses as those seen in other parts of the UK. The plea comes in the wake of the recent UK Budget, which introduced measures that have intensified the financial challenges facing local businesses, particularly on the high street.

The coalition, representing businesses in every village, town, and city in Northern Ireland, highlighted that the budgetary changes—namely, the increase in Employers National Insurance and the 6.7% hike in the Living Wage—have compounded what is already being described as a “Cost of Doing Business Crisis.” While independent retailers, hospitality, and leisure businesses in England have been granted a 40% rates relief to mitigate these rising costs, their Northern Irish counterparts have not seen similar support.

In their letter, the group described the current situation as “beyond crisis point,” with many small businesses facing an uncertain future, scaling back growth plans, and putting a halt to additional hiring. Business leaders underscored that Northern Ireland businesses endure the highest rates in the UK—a burden that, when compounded with escalating labour costs, threatens local jobs and the viability of many small enterprises.

The coalition called on Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister to allocate funding from the Barnett consequential—a financial mechanism used to adjust the devolved administrations’ budgets following changes in public spending in England—to support high street businesses through an equivalent rates relief scheme. They stressed that such relief would help offset the increased financial strain imposed by the National Insurance hike and enable businesses to reinvest in job creation and economic growth.

The group also pointed to a past disparity in support, where small businesses in England benefitted from a 75% reduction in rates to help with rising costs, while equivalent funding in Northern Ireland was used for other purposes within the Stormont Budget. Business leaders argue that now, more than ever, targeted relief is essential to bolster the sector’s recovery and growth amid economic challenges.

The coalition has requested urgent meetings with the First and Deputy First Ministers, as well as the Ministers for Finance and Economy and the Secretary of State, to discuss their proposals and address the escalating cost pressures on businesses.

The open letter was signed by notable leaders across various business bodies, including Glyn Roberts of Retail NI, Colin Neill of Hospitality Ulster, Clare Guinness of Belfast Chamber of Trade, and representatives from business groups spanning Northern Ireland’s major towns and regions. Their united message is clear: without timely intervention, the future of Northern Ireland’s high streets and the economic prosperity they underpin may hang in the balance.

The 23 Business Groups Are :

Glyn Roberts Chief Executive Retail NI
Colin Neill Chief Executive Hospitality Ulster
Joanna Maxwell Chairperson Antrim Chamber of C Commerce
Brian McLister Chair Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce
Tom Wiggins Chief Executive Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Winifred Mellet Chair Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce
Donal O’Reilly Secretary Banbridge Chamber of Commerce
Frank Shivers President Bangor Chamber of Commerce
Clare Guinness Chief Executive Belfast Chamber of Trade
Damien Corr Manager Cathedral Quarter BID
Karen Yates Chief Executive Causeway Chamber
Jamie Hall Manager Coleraine BID
Patrick Blake Chairperson Enniskillen BID Ltd
Michele Shirlow Chief Executive Food NI
Brian McRandal Chair Larne Business Forum
Ruth Young Chair Lisburn Chamber of Commerce
Anna Doherty Chief Executive Londonderry Chamber
Eamonn Connolly Manager Newry Bid
Michael Savage Chief Executive Newry Chamber
Derek Wright President Newtownards Chamber of Trade
Michael Henderson Chief Executive NI Food to Go Association
John Edgar President Omagh Chamber of Commerce
Kieran Kennedy Chair Strabane BID