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In the absence of the NI Executive the Northern Ireland Civil Service is administering the £15m support measures announced in Newry yesterday by Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris. It appears that the measures will include a one-off grant payments of £7,500 for affected business with rates relief on offer also.
With many businesses in Newry facing bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds and some heading for three quarters of a million pounds, it is unlikely that this aid will even begin to help get business owners back open.
Up to 200 businesses are expected to be eligible for support. The grants will be administered by the local council with the first payments issued next week.
The rates relief measure will include 100% relief for non-domestic rates on flooded properties for the period between 1 November and 31 March 2024. In addition, any business that relocates to temporary premises while their flooded property is being repaired will be eligible for 100% rates relief on the new premises for three months.
Proposals for further schemes to support the longer term recovery of the affected towns are being considered by government departments and local government. More information on those schemes will be released in the coming weeks.
