Council extends rent discount to support local traders

Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed to support local traders who are using council-owned premises by extending a 50 per cent concessionary rent rate for an extra three months.

The discount, which will be in place between 1 November 2020 and 31 January 2021, forms part of a phased series of concessionary rent rates originally introduced by the council during the summer to support small and medium-sized businesses in reopening after the initial pandemic lockdown.

Having already received a 75 per cent reduction in August and a 50 per cent reduction in September, traders were set to benefit from a 25 per cent reduction in October.

However, a decision to extend the 50 per cent reduction by another month due to national developments in the pandemic has now been extended into 2021.

This support is once again aimed at small and medium-sized businesses such as stall holders at Bridgend Indoor Market and Maesteg Outdoor Market, occupants of industrial starter units and more, and follows a previous package of support which included a full suspension of rent between March and July.

Traders need all the support we can give them at the moment, so in addition to this latest concession, the council has also processed financial support grants and arranged periods of free car parking, free start-back training, free ‘sneeze-guard’ equipment and more.

Deputy Leader Hywel Williams

Responding to the news, Gordon Woodbridge, Chair of Bridgend Market Traders Association, said: “I would like to thank the council for once again coming to the rescue of the market with the reduction of the rent for three months.

“This, I hope, will ensure the market survives, so once again thank you.”