Rates Revaluation Could Hit North Belfast's Local Food Spots Hard

A vital part of North Belfast's vibrant community – our beloved local cafes, takeaways, and independent food businesses – are facing a serious challenge. A proposed rates revaluation, known as LPS Reval 2026, is sparking concerns that it could lead to significant increases in operating costs, potentially pushing many of our cherished local spots to the brink.

The Northern Ireland Food To Go Association has issued a strong warning, stating that while the revaluation covers over 75,000 non-domestic properties, it's the smaller, independent food operators who will feel the impact first and hardest. These businesses often operate on tight margins and have limited financial reserves, making them vulnerable to unexpected cost hikes.

Draft figures suggest overall Net Annual Values could increase by around 15%, with hospitality-linked properties seeing sharp rises. For many small food-to-go businesses in our area, even a modest increase in rates could be enough to make continued trading unsustainable. The Association warns that more than a hundred small food businesses and local producers across Northern Ireland could be forced to close, putting thousands of local jobs at risk and accelerating the loss of independent traders from our high streets.

Beyond the businesses themselves, the loss of these establishments would have a profound impact on our community. These are the family-run cafes where we grab our morning coffee, the takeaways we rely on for a quick meal, and the local producers who contribute to our unique character. When these businesses disappear, they often leave behind empty units, job losses, and a void where familiar community hubs once thrived.

Michael Henderson, Chief Executive for the Northern Ireland Food To Go Association, highlighted that 'Improved rental evidence does not mean improved viability, costs remain high, footfall is fragile and many small food businesses are hanging on by a thread.' In response to these concerns, the Association has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Finance, John O’Dowd. They aim to discuss the potential impact of Reval 2026 and ensure the voices of small, community-based food businesses in North Belfast and beyond are fully heard at a ministerial level.

Kiera Campbell, Chair of the Northern Ireland Food To Go Association, stressed that these businesses are 'not just balance sheets or valuation figures. They are the heartbeat and backbone of local communities, providing jobs, skills and everyday services people rely on.' The Association is calling for meaningful engagement to ensure that rates policy is fair, proportionate, and supports, rather than undermines, local economies like ours in North Belfast.