Sinn Féin councillor Paul Hogan has called on Athlone Town Council not to increase commercial rates in the upcoming budget for 2010. The call comes as many businesses in Athlone are feeling the pinch of the current economic climate, he says.
“Many businesses within Athlone are already struggling to survive in these economically testing times. Over the last year, we have witnessed a number of properties close with the loss of a significant number of jobs,” said Cllr Hogan.
The councillor believes if the town council decides not to increase commercial rates for 2010, it will protect local indigenous small and medium businesses, thus keeping people in employment.
“These indigenous small and medium enterprises are the backbone of our local economy. They are owned and run locally and employ locally, and they have contributed significantly to job creation and the economic development of our locality.
“Our local businesses are not the same as the big mobile international businesses who withdraw from an area as soon as the grant aid runs out or as soon as the economic circumstances change. They are the retail and commercial units that are committed to Athlone in our progression as a major retail, business and commercial town,” he said.
“These loyal businesses now need assistance to survive. I believe a gesture by the town council not to increase commercial rates for 2010 would be a progressive measure.
“These are very serious times for people in business. I would like to believe that Athlone Town Council would ensure their protection and survival and suggest not increasing commercial rates,” he concluded.
