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Ripon businesses "struggling" with business rates, cost of living and staffing issues

Monday, 24 June 2024 11:00

Ripon's market square.

The three biggest issues affecting Ripon’s small businesses are the cost of living crisis, business rates and staffing - according to a new survey.

The research has been commissioned on behalf of the Skipton and Ripon Labour Party.

Over the last three weeks, 52 employers with three or more staff including manufacturing, agricultural, construction, training, travel and hospitality businesses, have shared their views.

And more than half (55 per cent) rated hiring and retaining staff in their top three headaches, while a third (33 per cent) named skills shortages.

When asked what was stopping them attracting and keeping the right talent, many said it was a lack of public transport, education and affordable housing.

Business rates were named by more than half of respondents (55 per cent) as being in the top three most pressing issues currently facing their business.

The same amount also pointed to the cost of living and customers spending less.

Brexit was named by 27 per cent as a top 3 issue, crime and antisocial behaviour by 23 per cent and climate change by 11 per cent of respondents.

Labour candidate Malcolm Birks said:

“What does not surprise me is retail businesses complaining about business rates.

"In a world where they have to compete more and more with online sellers, business rates no longer make sense and are adding to the hollowing out of our brilliant high streets and market squares.”

“Ripon, Masham and Pateley Bridge are all fantastic at organising community events to bring people into the centres but our independent restaurants and retailers need more support.”

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