Wellington business owners who have paid for renewal fees for a food registration and/or pavement lease will get partial refunds.
The Wellington City Council said only the businesses that have already paid for the renewal between July 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, will be able to apply online for a 25 per cent refund through the Wellington City Council website.
Fees for the current quarter, until July 2020, have been set at $1 for food registrations, pavement leases and alcohol licences, the lowest amount possible where a nominative amount is required for legal reasons for food and alcohol licence applications.
Any businesses that have paid fees after April 1, 2020, will also be invited to apply for a refund.
Helen Jones, manager for Public Health, said they have been working closely with bars, cafes and other food businesses in Wellington and know just how difficult it is to trade in this environment.
“This is just one of a number of initiatives we are exploring with the hospitality industry for their immediate future, and the longer term in a post Covid-world,” Jones said.
Wellington City Council has been working with business owners from various sectors to understand the support they need to get through the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
“The fee refunds are a way we can help as part of our Economic Recovery Plan,” said Councillor Diane Calvert, Economic Development Portfolio leader.
“We’re also supporting commercial rate payers to apply to defer their fourth-quarter rates without penalty and pass on these benefits to tenants.”
Calvert said the City of Wellington will continue to work with the Economic Development Agency, WellingtonNZ, to further develop their economic response.
“In the meantime, I encourage businesses to contact their helpline or attend one of their online workshops or webinars for businesses.”
Mayor Andy Foster is encouraging Wellingtonians to ‘Love Local’ by supporting their local businesses.
“This week we moved to Alert Level 3 and have seen many of our hospitality businesses transform the way they trade to meet the Government’s regulations,” Foster said. “We want to ensure that as we continue our return to normality, we are supporting these businesses that give Wellington the vibrancy and culture it is famous for.”
Businesses that are eligible for a refund can apply online.
