London Bridge pubs to receive 'discretionary' rates relief

By Georgina Townshend

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags London borough of southwark

Welcome gesture: pubs affected by the attack will receive a discretionary business rates discount
Welcome gesture: pubs affected by the attack will receive a discretionary business rates discount
Pubs affected by the police cordon that closed a large area of London Bridge and Borough Market following the terror attack on 3 June are being offered business rates relief from Southwark Council.

The council is offering a discretionary business rates discount for a period of up to one month for any of the businesses that were inside the police cordon while forensic investigations took place. 

The market, the main scene of attacks and where the three terrorists were shot by police, were blocked off for more than a week, with the market fully reopening on 14 June – 10 days after the attack.

Practical support

Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said the council wanted to fully support the many local businesses that have felt a “significant impact” by the closures during the investigations.

“As well as offering emotional support to their staff through our Community Assistance Centre at Southwark Cathedral, we wanted to offer practical support to help them back to business as normal during this difficult time,” he said.

A welcome gesture

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Kate Nicholls welcomed the gesture.

She said: “Besides the obvious trauma of being caught up in the recent attack, those businesses that were affected will have also taken a significant financial hit because they were necessarily forced to close down.

“Following a major incident such as this, it can take businesses in the affected area up to six months to recover.

“Although safety will have been the chief concern for businesses, it is nice to see the council recognising that many employers will have also suffered financially.”

There is also 'hardship relief' for businesses that have been particularly badly affected, the council said.  

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