High street businesses in Godstone are on the brink. With fewer visiting since the sinkhole, one business has already shut up shop, and the rest are really struggling. And this is on top of the Government’s repeated tax raids.
I welcomed the temporary support by Tandridge District Council. But their recent refusal to entertain my proposal of a tapered cushioning period for the reintroduction of business rates ignores the reality on the ground.
The last fifteen months have changed people’s habits. It will take time for behaviours to change and footfall to recover.
I have exhausted all avenues with the Valuation Office Agency and Tandridge’s Chief Executive, so I today sent a letter to the Chair of the Council’s Strategy & Resources Committee to ask if my proposal can be discussed at their next meeting this Thursday.
With a cross-party body of support, it’s my hope TDC will re-examine its position and support my proposal.
