Rates: It shouldn't be us asked to support local businesses!
The letter drops through the letter box from Land and Property Services each year without fail and while you know – roughly – what to expect, it's still a pretty painful experience for any business owner.
But what on earth do we get for our rates?
Never has that question been asked as loud as it was this weekend past when a small Craigavon café, in the middle of Rushmere Shopping Centre, is asked to fork out more that £71,000 in rates for a single year. The outrage might subside over the coming days and weeks, but the initial reaction was deafening – something has to give. Unfortunately, it’s most likely going to be the businesses that suffer.
Arguing the money goes towards better public services, or improved roads maintenance, or even a functioning health system, would have Judas himself struggling to keep a straight face. Thirty pieces of the ratepayers silver but for what in the end!
When Clenaghans restaurant in Aghalee – a fantastic establishment – is forced to close its doors because of rising costs – their rates bill wouldn’t have helped – it's high time something is done to reverse the decline of the small business.
Vacancy rates are on the increase. You might argue Council and central government would receive more by asking for less? Less rates, less empty units, perhaps. Less is often more…
We are asked time and time again to support our local businesses but that’s merely an empty platitude when it's the residents being asked to do the supporting. Businesses, operating in the shadows of small profit margins, are plundered for whatever little they have left, particularly those in hospitality. What hope do they have when rates bills begin with five figures…
Yes, support local businesses but it should be us, the residents, telling those in the suits at the big table, not the other way around!
Headlines
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🤳 Portadown phone mast at SRC college in Portadown approved despite reservations
Armagh Jobs
We have more new job openings on armaghjobs.com. Check them out below.
🆕 Monaghan Collegiate School require Principal.
🆕 Re-Gen Robotics require Robotics Operative and HGV Vacuum Tanker Operators.
🆕 Keegan’s Bar Armagh require Chef de Partie.
🆕 SDG Armagh require Internal Sales Executive.
🆕 Linwoods Health Foods require General Operatives and Electrical / Maintenance Technician.
✅ Ann’s Homecare require a Team Leader.
✅ Kestrel Foods require a Chocolate Panning Operative.
✅ King Bros Armagh require two Class 2 HGV Drivers.
✅ CLS Signage require a Digital Marketer / Graphic Designer.
✅ Mount Charles have a number of full time roles across Armagh and beyond.
🆕 Armagh City Hotel require Housekeeper.
🆕 Linwoods Health Foods require Casual Sales Demonstrators.
✅ Mount Charles require Cleaning Operatives, Catering Assistants and Mobile Cleaning Operatives.
🛎️ If you have a job and want to advertise it to 40,000 daily users on www.armaghjobs.com and www.armaghi.com, as well as more than 8,000 people on this newsletter and our 100,000 social media followers, get in touch.
Established local business Linwoods offer numerous exciting opportunities
The company – which started over 50 years ago with a small, local shop owned by the Woods family in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland – has developed and grown over the past five decades and is now in its third generation of the founding family with John’s children Patrick, Joseph and Ellen now playing pivotal roles in the evolution of the business.
🤔 Conundrum
Well done to those of you who guessed last Tuesday’s conundrum…Henry built plenty of these in his factory..
The answer: Milford
Today’s conundrum is this…
Chuck made his way to the top!
Where in Co Armagh are we talking about?
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