A Member of the Senedd representing Carmarthenshire has expressed the concerns of small businesses in the county about the future of their town centres during First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd today (Tuesday, 30 September).
In June and July this year, Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, conducted a survey of independent town centre businesses in ten towns in Carmarthenshire in order to hear their expectations for the future and ask their opinion about Plaid Cymru’s regeneration policies.
One particular policy that was asked about was reform to the business rates regime, whereby small, town centre companies pay less and larger, out-of-town chains pay more.
According to the survey, 67.8% of respondents believed that business rate levels are currently too high, with a similar figure – 71.6% – expressing their concerns that they are an obstacle to growing their businesses. As a result, 85.6% of respondents supported Plaid Cymru’s policy to reform the business rates system.
Speaking in the Senedd Siambr, Cefin Campbell MS said:
“First Minister, I’m sure that you’ll agree that the decline of our town centres is intensifying and is, of course, a great concern.
“My office recently conducted a business survey across Carmarthenshire. The results paint a stark picture.
“Given the evidence—does the First Minister agree with Carmarthenshire business owners that Labour’s current policies are failing our town centres?
In response, Eluned Morgan referenced the vote in the Senedd on the Welsh Government’s budget from March this year alongside previous support for small business to dismiss Mr Campbell MS’ question:
“So, what’s your answer? To go further? To give them more? That’s Plaid Cymru’s constant demand.
“You want more money, and yet, when it came to it, you wouldn’t even support the money that we put in last time.”
