North Wales MS Mark Isherwood is calling on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to address the fact that small Bed and Breakfast businesses in Wales have once again slipped through the net when it comes to receiving financial support to help them survive the pandemic.
Mr Isherwood has been contacted by many desperate small B&B owners who are deeply concerned for the future of their businesses after missing out in the Welsh Government’s third round of the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).
They were also not eligible in previous rounds and have been denied small business grants – unlike their counterparts in England and Scotland - on the basis that they were not registered for Small Business Rate Relief, when they have no choice.
The Valuation Office Agency’s guidance document for bed and breakfast owners states that:- “The property will be domestic and therefore subject to council tax rather than business rates if: You intend not to provide short stay accommodation for more than six persons at any one time within the coming year and The property is your sole or main residence……”.
Mr Isherwood, who throughout the pandemic has repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to give Bed and Breakfast businesses the financial support they need amid the pandemic, said:
“This is a further kick in the teeth for all the small Bed and Breakfast businesses throughout Wales who have been overlooked by the Welsh Government throughout this pandemic.
“They are absolutely desperate for support, but their pleas are going unheard by the Labour administration.
“An additional £140m has been made available in the third round of the ERF to support businesses, yet these small B&Bs are unable to access any of it, it is outrageous.
“I’ve received a barrage of emails and calls from small B&B owners across North Wales, and indeed from other parts of Wales, who are absolutely desperate and don’t know which way to turn.
“The Welsh Government needs to review this urgently and give these hard working business owners the help they are crying out for before it is too late.”