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SteveH:
Saying all the right things, as long as it is pushed forward, good for North Wales

Growth plan to create 120,000 extra jobs in North Wales.

A growth plan that highlights how the region can create an extra 120,000 jobs has been unveiled.
The North Wales Economic Ambition Board has put forward its vision for the region’s economy.

The document - A Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales - urges the UK and Welsh Government to back their ambition for investment and greater powers in the region.
They say the return will be an increased size in the region’s economy from £12.5bn to £20bn by 2035

“We have a good track record in attracting investment but recognise that more needs to be done if job creation and income levels are to match UK levels.

“The plan focuses on strategic infrastructure investments that link business to key markets and communities, developing and skilling the workforce to take advantage of opportunities and working with partners cross-border to grow key sectors and support projects with the potential to transform our economy.

“We recognise that the plan is ambitious, but we have identified a number of projects that could support jobs and prosperity.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/growth-plan-create-120000-extra-11884007

SteveH:
'Tax cut' or 'spin doctoring'...rates relief pledge for North Wales businesses turns into row.

The Welsh Government says it has delivered a tax cut for thousands of small firms in Wales but this claim has been attacked as "spin-doctoring" by a business group.
Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford has confirmed that the £98m Small Business Rates Relief scheme will be extended for 2017-18, with it becoming permanent after then.

FSB Development Manager Mike Learmond said: “Whilst we welcome the announcement that Small Business Rates Relief in Wales is to be put on the same permanent basis as in England, to describe such a move as a tax cut for small businesses is blatantly misleading and the worst form of spin-doctoring.
"Putting the current relief scheme on a permanent footing merely maintains the status quo and does not mean that small businesses in communities across Wales will pay any less in business rates than they did previously.

“In its manifesto Welsh Labour pledged to 'offer a tax cut for all small businesses' - today’s announcement in no way meets that pledge, and we would urge the Finance Minister to look at how the Welsh Government can keep the promise that it made to the small business community and the wider electorate.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/tax-cut-north-wales-businesses-11891307

SteveH:
I think this article shows how lucky Llandudno is, and will be in the future, certainly from a shopping point of view.


More than one in five shops lie empty in some town centres in North Wales - sparking a “ghost town” warning.
Shocking figures from the Local Data Company(LDC) show the region has some of the worst performing towns in the UK when it comes to empty premises.

Bangor had a shop vacancy rate of 21.8% in the first half of 2016.
This figure was one of the worst in the UK for towns of that size, although the vacancy rate was down from 22.4% in 2015
In Rhyl , 21.6% of shops were empty, up from 17.5% in 2015 as the seaside resort has struggled to cope after losing major chains like Marks & Spencer and Next in recent years.

“There are so many empty units and a lot of those filled are charity shops, we need to do something to get retailers back on the high street.

“If something does not happen soon Rhyl town centre will be a ghost town.
“We are looking at setting up a Business Improvement District which is a start and we need action on rates from the next re-valuation.
Bangor has already seen the creation of a Business Improvement District to help support the city centre.

More and comments below article....
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/ghost-town-warning-one-five-11910657

SteveH:
Is your North Wales business a tourism champion?
Tourism firms and small businesses are being urged to get their entries into the Daily Post Business Awards 2016.
The awards aim to find the area’s most innovative companies and talented people.
Prizes will be awarded to the firms and business people who have excelled over the last 12 months and are helping drive the economy forward.
There are 10 categories for businesses to enter with a showcase awards ceremony in November at Bangor University, who are the headline sponsor of the awards and also support the Business Person of the Year category.

Has your organisation helped promote the growth and expansion of the local tourist industry? Can you demonstrate how you are attracting more visitors to North and mid Wales for days out and longer holidays, business trips, conferences, exhibitions or other events?

Entries will be judged on business achievement and growing financial performance, with the business possibly also demonstrating strong future growth potential.
The 10 awards are open to ANY type of business based within North Wales.
It’s free to enter and there are number of ways to enter your business.

For an entry form and information visit www.dailypostbusinessawards.co.uk , call: 01492 574 472 or email events@dailypost.co.uk.

“The aim of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) is for a single, joined-up vision for economic and employment growth for North Wales.
“Currently with the public and private sector working together within the NWEAB, a “Team North Wales” approach can be delivered through collaboration and partnership working.
“Our ambition is to support the further development of a confident, cohesive region with economic growth, capitalising on the success of high value economic sectors.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/your-north-wales-business-tourism-11905541

SteveH:
Thousands of firms in North Wales are set to find out how much they are set to pay in business rates today - but huge demand has seen the Government's on-line checker crash.

The Valuation Office Agency published the new "rateable values" of their properties at around 9.30am this morning.
It was set to show the changes in the amount firms will pay in business rates from next April.

North Wales is expected to benefit as the last review took place in 2008 prior to the economic crash.
But the system has experienced serious technical difficulties this morning due to the sheer level of demand.

Some figures have been available but many searches have come back unsuccessful.
The Government department is working to resolve the issues.

One Llanfairfechan firm said it had been able to log-on and had discovered the rates they were due to pay on a new unit could soar.

All UK firms pay a tax on the shops, offices, warehouses and factories that they use.
Rates are the third biggest outgoing for many small businesses after rent and staff costs.   ref DP

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