Bailiffs have visited a number of businesses in Carmarthen demanding payment for being part of a controversial scheme which many say they didn’t want to sign up to in the first place. Some people reacted with anger and frustration on Wednesday as collectors turned up unannounced to say that businesses owed money, in many cases running into hundreds of pounds.
The controversy surrounds a scheme called Carmarthen BID (Business Improvement District), which was first mooted in the town five years ago. It was eventually set up in 2020 after more than 130 businesses took part in a vote, with 65% of those balloted voting in favour of setting up a body which is self-funded and designed to improve a commercial area - in this case Carmarthen town centre. Read more about it and how it is meant to work, including the financial details, here.
However, the controversy stems from the fact that businesses who voted against the scheme, or indeed did not vote at all, are still being forced to pay a percentage of their rateable value every year for being members of the BID - on top of business rates. You can keep up to date with the latest Carmarthenshire news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
