Traders at Tenby market continue to campaign to get financial support whilst lockdown continues, with some that have been unable to open during the COVID-19 pandemic criticising the Government and county council for being ‘overlooked’ in being granted any form of compensation in order to survive.

With traders’ business rates included in the rent they pay to Pembrokeshire county council, stallholders have stated that they are unable to apply for government funding for the ‘self-employed’ because they do not have a business rates reference number.

One stallholder, Paul Deverson who runs a photography and picture framing business from the Market Hall located on High Street appeared on BBC1 Wales news this week to get his views across once again, after an open letter from traders was sent to the Welsh Government last month expressing their concerns.

“We do feel discriminated against when there’s businesses the same as ours outside the market which do get the support and we don’t!

“What is different between their business and ours? Who has the right to say who survives and who doesn’t!” he stated in an interview given from his home to BBC news.

Mr. Deverson told the Observer: “In the Welsh Government guidelines on business rate relief grants, it clearly states that they have the discretion to award it to us!”

According to the Covid-19 ‘grants for businesses in Wales linked to non-domestic Rates’ scheme guidance, it states that the aim for both grant schemes is to get financial support to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations as soon as possible to help them remain viable: ’Local authorities have indicated their willingness to support the response and recovery effort by administering these grants in Wales alongside enhanced year-long rates relief for certain retail, leisure and hospitality businesses who qualify for 2020/21.

‘Both Grant Schemes will only apply to properties that were on the NDR rating list on March 20, 2020. If the ratepayer is not on the list at this date, it will be at the discretion of the individual local authority as to whether the business should be eligible for a grant.

‘The decision to provide the grant ultimately lies at the discretion of the local authority and should be based on the overriding principle of the scheme of providing support to businesses negatively impacted.’

In the correspondence sent to the Welsh Government traders said that they ‘desperately’ needed help in order to survive after this global pandemic.

“We pay rent to Pembrokeshire County Council and our business rates are included in our rent. This is clearly stated in our contracts - we do and always have paid business rates,” stated the letter.

“As our rates are included in our rent, we do not have a business rates reference number, and therefore we are unable to apply for the grants set up by the government to help and support self-employed businesses.

“The Welsh government Resilience Grant promised to fill this gap, however, they insist you must be VAT-registered and employ at least one full-time employee. Again, this leaves us small businesses with no help or support during these scary, uncertain times.

“The government states that we can get 80 per cent of profit back from HMRC in June. However, 80 per cent of a small profit is not going to get us through the next year.

“We rely on the summer season to see us through the year; this is when we make the most profit, when Tenby is busy with tourists.

“Having just missed Easter due to the national lockdown put in place by the government, we have missed our biggest week of trade this year. Why are we not able to apply for grants to see us through to next year, like other businesses across the country?

“These are scary times for everyone and especially for us small businesses who don’t know what the future holds. Please can you help us shed light on our situation as we feel we have no chance. We’re desperate to continue our businesses that we have put everything into.”

A response from PCC given to local MP Simon Hart to the suggestion that PCC could claim the grant on behalf of traders, after Mr. Deverson had contacted his office stated: “As an Authority we cannot claim the Grant. I have raised this issue with the Minister who said that if there are funds left over when the other businesses are paid then they will look at the position then.”

“It is a total joke and proves they do not care!” Mr. Deverson added.