A CONSERVATIVE call to abolish rates for all small businesses in Wales has been voted down by the Senedd amid warnings the tax burden is “hollowing out” high streets.

Tory Senedd Members urged the Welsh Government to scrap business rates entirely for the smallest businesses to give them “breathing space” amid a record wave of closures.

Samuel Kurtz claimed Wales has the “least competitive” business rates in Britain coupled with the highest unemployment in the UK and the lowest take-home pay.

“This is not the framework of a thriving economy,” he said, warning of an “economic doom loop” following November’s UK autumn budget.

Mr Kurtz, the Conservatives’ shadow economy secretary, told the Senedd high streets will be “hollowed out” and communities “left poorer” without radical reform.

Leading the debate on Wednesday December 10, Mr Kurtz described a business rates revaluation as the “final blow” for many businesses.

“Countless small firms have seen their valuations double, triple or even quadruple,” he said. “One business owner told me recently that her monthly bill will rise by £8,000 – eight grand. For a small business, that’s completely unsustainable and untenable.”

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, welcomed the introduction of differential multipliers – a key determinant of bills – for high-street shops in Wales.

But he criticised the Welsh Government for excluding the hospitality industry from the lower rate multiplier, costing the typical pub an extra £6,800 a year.

“To not include hospitality… was a massive misstep by the government,” he said.

Rhys ab Owen, an independent, pointed out that Wales has had the highest percentage of small businesses closing since 2020 as he called for a VAT cut for hospitality businesses.

Conservative Joel James warned high streets are in a perilous state, with the Labour UK Government’s increase in employers’ national insurance “killing businesses”.

His colleague Gareth Davies painted a bleak picture of a “decimated” hospitality sector, warning a pub closes every day. He suggested small businesses are being “suffocated” by “punishing” policies at both ends of the M4.

Responding to the debate, Rebecca Evans defended the Welsh Government’s record, arguing the economic environment has improved despite challenges such as inflation.

Wales’ economy secretary pointed to existing support which she said protects thousands of small businesses from bigger bills.

She told Senedd Members: “Our small business rates relief scheme provides over £140m of relief annually to around 70,000 properties across Wales, with over 50,000 of these receiving 100% relief and paying nothing at all.”

The Tory motion, which also called for free parking in town centres and the reversal of tourism tax plans, was voted down 34-12 with one abstention. Labour and Plaid Cymru amendments were also rejected as Senedd Members failed to reach any agreement.

A CALL for works at what is said to be one of the oldest independent museums in Wales has been approved by Pembrokeshire’s national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Rob Davies sought permission for the replacement of existing single-glazed timber sash to windows to south and east elevations with replica double glazed units at Grade-II-listed Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby.

A supporting statement said: “The museum building is in the former National School, built into a medieval domestic building, possibly the hall, depicted as roofless and gable ended in early views. The school was founded in 1832 and enlarged in 1842. The girl’s schoolroom was above, the boys below. It remained in use until the Parochial School was opened in 1874, and the building became the museum in 1878.

“A mural mosaic depicting the history of Tenby was located on the east elevation in 1991. The 1977 listing refers to two round chimneys to the rear, however, only one was located in 2001.  Two ranges exist, the original museum adapted from a medieval building used as the National School until 1874 and the former Museum Cottage to the west, now also part of the museum.”

Heritage service Cadw, in its response, lists the museum as “among the early museums in Wales,” while a Wikipedia entry says it is “the oldest independent museum in Wales”.

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society.

An officer report recommending approval said: “No adverse comments have been received from consultees towards the current proposal, and no third-party representations raising issues relating to listed building matters have been received.

“The proposed scheme is in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”

What was once a time-consuming task that involved hours of walking around different shops is now an effortless pastime that can be done in the comfort of your own home. 

In the last decade or so, online shopping has evolved significantly. From personalised experiences to an abundance of choice, making a purchase has never been so quick and easy. Of course, businesses have had to adapt to these growing expectations from consumers, who are no longer willing to spend more than a few minutes at checkout or wait more than a few days for their delivery. 

So, how are businesses adapting to these modern day shopping habits? Let’s take a look. 

Focusing on customer-centric marketing 

In a day and age where people are being constantly bombarded with adverts, it’s not enough to stick a product in someone’s face and tell them how great it is. Instead, businesses need a more strategic approach. They must show the customer that they care about their needs and are there to solve a problem, not make a sale. 

Offering flexible payment options 

The speed of modern day shopping is undeniable. People don’t want to spend ages inputting their personal information and filling out card details. From PayPal to Apple Pay, more and more businesses are providing alternative payment methods to ensure a seamless checkout experience. 

One notable trend at the moment is cryptocurrency, thanks to its quick, secure, and efficient transactions. As this has become a popular option, many businesses are now adopting a corporate crypto wallet to facilitate faster payments, giving them an edge over their competitors.  

Providing 24/7 customer service (with the help of AI)

Websites don’t close like a traditional shop, meaning anyone can shop day or night. Because of this, people expect help with their orders or an answer to their question straight away, no matter what time of day it is. Of course, many online retailers can’t afford, or don’t have the manpower, to ensure staff are available 24/7, so instead they’re using AI-powered chatbots, which can answer common questions in an instant. 

What does the future of online shopping look like? 

Retailers are having to adapt constantly to changes in demand and expectations, and it’s unlikely that this will slow down anytime soon. With technology constantly advancing, it’s hard to say what the future of online shopping will look like, but it’s fair to say that it will only get faster, more efficient, and more competitive.