The leader of Douglas Council has ruled out payment ’holidays’ for people who pay business rates.

Our sister paper the Manx Independent reported last week of the concerns of people who run small, independent businesses in Strand Street who have been forced to close their doors during the crisis.

Councillor David Christian had previously said the authority could not afford to cancel business rates.

On Friday he said: ’Many column inches have been devoted recently to local authorities in the adjacent isle having been empowered by the UK government to grant business rates "holidays".

’Let me make it clear: it is not in the council’s gift to grant such a relaxation; it’s a matter for government and I have written to the Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK to this effect.’

Mr Christian added: ’This crisis will surely pass and we want to ensure that while it’s not going to be ’’business as usual’’ for a long time, if we work through this together we’ll still have a retail centre with prospects for the future.’

Speaking ahead of the council issuing its 2020-21 rate demands, Councillor Christian said: ’These are incredibly anxious times for us all. The council understands that many households and businesses are experiencing financial difficulties, but it has a statutory obligation to issue and seek payment of rate demands.’

Mr Christian added: ’Rates ensure a sustainable revenue stream so the council can not only continue delivering essential services during the current Covid-19 outbreak but also be in a position to restore other services and amenities once the pandemic is over.’

He urged any household or business facing financial hardship to contact the council’s rates section team by emailing [email protected]