Calls for council cashback
Zia Hussain, owner of Eskdale stores says he too has been affected by Sainsbury's opening w130625b
The owner of the shop nearest to the Sainsbury’s superstore is calling on the council to reduce business rates to help the town’s independent traders.
Zia Hussain runs Eskdale Stores and his family have had corner shops in the town for over 30 years.
He says the rate reduction would be a positive step Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) could take to help businesses affected by the arrival of the supermarket.
He is also calling on local business owners to get together and address the council collectively.
He said: “A reduction in business rates would be a positive step in assisting businesses in the town. It would be good if businesses could get together and speak to the council about the impact Sainsbury’s has had.
“They have frozen council tax but business rates are different and it is something the council could probably do.”
Mr Hussain believes more consideration could have been given to the impact Sainsbury’s would have on local, independent traders both within the town centre and beyond.
He said: “We have seen an impact on trade but the community has been absolutely fantastic and we are grateful for its on-going support and trade, but across Whitby there have been quite a few shop closures.
“When they allowed Sainsbury’s I don’t think they considered how much of an impact it would have. If they can accommodate for Sainsbury’s they need to accommodate for the rest of us.”
l A public meeting is being held at La Rosa on Wednesday from 7pm for the launch of Totally Locally Whitby, a scheme which aims to promote local, independent and creative businesses in the town.
It is suggested that if every adult in Whitby spent £5 a week on the high street it would be worth an extra £2.9 million a year to the local economy.
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Weather for Whitby
Monday 20 May 2013
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Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
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