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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald with Aisling Stewart, owner of AMC Beauty & Training Academy.
Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald today called on entrepreneurs planning to start or expand their business in Mid-Ulster to consider setting up in a long-term vacant property to avail of the Back in Business scheme.
The Minister was speaking as she visited AMC Beauty & Training Academy in Maghera who successfully applied for the rates support scheme which aims to attract new businesses onto high streets and town centres.
Following the relaunch of the scheme in May 2024, five businesses in Mid-Ulster have now benefitted from a 50% rates discount for up to two years, after moving into premises previously used for retail purposes that have been unoccupied for 12 months or more.
Following the visit the Minister said: “We all want to see our town centres and shopping areas thrive and that’s why I’m delighted to visit AMC Beauty & Training Academy’s new premises today in the heart of Maghera. It is fantastic to hear how the Back in Business scheme has helped this business expand into bigger premises creating additional employment in the area.
“This business is just one of the 18 new or expanded businesses who have benefited from the Back in Business Scheme so far since it was relaunched in May, with five of these being in the Mid-Ulster area.
“The scheme provides a 50% rates reduction for up to two years for businesses who move into long-term vacant premises previously used for retail businesses and has provided over £41,000 in rate support so far.
“I would encourage anyone starting a business or expanding an existing business to consider setting up in an empty unit, and avail of the rate support on offer through Back in Business.”
Welcoming the Finance Minister to their premises Aisling Stewart, owner of AMC Beauty & Training Academy said: “The Back in Business scheme has helped me relocate to new premises that offer me much more space for my business. This additional space has enabled me to take on an additional three more members of staff and without this relocation I would not have been able to do this. I would encourage potential business owners to take the scheme into consideration when looking at premises for their new ventures.”
The Back in Business scheme is open to all business types and applications can be made online. Further information on how to apply can be found here
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