Market traders win business rates rebate after appeal

HARD-pressed traders in part of Leeds Kirkgate Market have been granted business rates refunds following an appeal to a Government agency.

Leeds Council yesterday welcomed a decision to refund three years of business rates to some tenants at the market.

Following an appeal from the tenants, the Valuation Office Agency for HM Revenues and Customs has agreed a business rate repayment for those tenants who trade from stalls located in the market's 1976 hall.

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The move follows a recent assessment into rates paid by the tenants which took account of the number of empty units in that part of the market.

Leeds city councillor Mark Dobson said: "The council is delighted with this decision, and encouraged that the tenants' appeal has been successful. This is a financial boost for those traders running businesses in what are currently difficult economic circumstances.

"The initiative from tenants to obtain this refund has shown a real willingness of the traders to work together to achieve a common purpose, and I am pleased to see this community spirit is alive and well in the market."

A council spokeswoman said the market has continued to grow in the past 12 months, after 250,000 of funding was made available over the next two years to undertake improvements on the market.

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She added: "A number of new initiatives have been brought to Kirkgate market in the last few months including the opening of Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food and the newly launched Asian themed bazaar market, which runs each Wednesday on the outdoor market."

The spokeswoman could not say how many traders had been granted rebates, nor how much money they would receive.

All business rates are set by the Valuation Office Agency and are paid through the council to the government. This means that there is no net loss or gain to the council from the refund.