Original by Owen Hughes, Business Live - https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/fears-over-free-use-cas…
The decision has come under fire from convenience store bosses and AM Janet Finch-Saunders
Welsh Government is pushing on with plans to remove Small Business Rate Relief from cash machines - sparking concerns on its impact on the provision of ATMs.
The Government said it had been consistent in its view that ATMs should not be eligible for the relief and the changes will be made next April.
But the decision has come under fire from convenience store bosses and AM Janet Finch-Saunders who chairs the Cross Party Group on Small Shops in the Senedd.
The Association of Convenience Stores chief executive, James Lowman, said: “We are disappointed with the Welsh Government’s decision to remove rate relief for ATMs as this will put even more pressure on access to cash infrastructure, especially considering the National Assembly Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee’s Access to Banking inquiry recently called for Welsh government action to support access to financial services through ATMs.
“The convenience sector is becoming increasingly important in providing essential services such as ATMs to their local communities and policy making should support retailers in providing access to local services.”
AM Janet Finch-Saunders said: “As part of the consultation the Welsh Government stated that Small Business Rate Relief is not intended to support ATMs on the basis that they are not viewed as small businesses.
“What is being overlooked is that ATMs are a major contributor to communities and commerce. Without ATMs it would be far more difficult to obtain cash, and the impact of that on people wanting to shop in local stores could be detrimental.
“In October I asked the Minister for Finance if the Welsh Government would fund the cost of installing ATMs in communities.
“The Welsh Government responded negatively to me then and have just given another kick to communities across Wales affected by bank and ATM closures.”
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “We have always been consistent on our position that ATMs are not eligible for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) in Wales. Legislation is being amended to provide clarity on this matter.”
