The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
GOVERNMENT supports like the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme need to be extended for at least four months to help the struggling hospitality sector to survive, according to local hoteliers. Clare hotels, who are big commercial ratepayers, suffered a double hit this week with a 3.8% hike in commercial rates and a reduction of financial supports under the EWSS. Old Ground Hotel proprietor, Allen Flynn described the decision to increase rates as “extraordinary” at a time when a lot of businesses are struggling to stay open. “It is only government supports that is keeping most businesses open at the moment. These supports need to be continued for the first six months of 2022. “For a local authority to increase its commercial rates is completely at odds with what the government are trying to do. Other Chamber members are shocked and very disappointed with the increase. This sends out a very bad message to business. Despite a strong staycation market when the …
Read More »