Laura Anne Jones, Senedd member for South East Wales, has called on the Welsh Government to extend its Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Business Rates Relief Scheme to include Amusement Arcades and Gaming Centres in Wales.
In May, The Welsh Government published its guidance on Non-Domestic Business Rates for this sector of the economy.
The Guidance states :
“We are providing the relief by reimbursing local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.”
“It will be for individual Local Authorities to adopt a scheme and decide in each individual case when to grant relief.”
Commenting, Laura Anne Jones said:
“I have been contacted by Amusement Arcade Operators in my region who are suffering because Welsh Government guidance does not mention them as being eligible for relief as part of the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality industry.”
“The Guidance does give Local Authorities in Wales the power to grant relief on a case by case basis. However, Newport City Council has failed to do so and appears to be content to pass the buck back to the Welsh Government.”
“Amusement Arcades are part of the Leisure industry providing valuable jobs in this sector,”
“Many are facing financial hardship and may not survive without support”
“Wales is the only part of the United Kingdom that doesn’t deliver the support they need.”
“I am calling on the Welsh Government to amend its guidance to include Amusement Arcades and Gaming Centres in its businesses eligible for relief as a matter of urgency to enable them to get through this current crisis.”