PRA successfully lobbies Northern Ireland on business rates relief

“We are very pleased that the Northern Ireland government has taken on board our views and extended the business rates holiday across the nation,” said Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).

Yesterday (20 May), the Northern Ireland Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced that the initial three-month business rates holiday is being brought in line with England and Wales to twelve months.

The PRA have actively lobbied the Northern Ireland government since the initial announcement, corresponding with First Minister Arlene Foster and various departments in Stormont. Ian Paisley MP’s timely intervention with senior figures in the Assembly to support the PRA may have been a decisive factor in this announcement.

Madderson continued, “This is a package of £213 million that will be vital for the survival of many small, rural filling stations across Northern Ireland.

“Around 85% of all filling stations in Northern Ireland are independently owned and operated, and therefore we are delighted that we have been able to successfully represent and assist them in gaining this important concession on business rates.”