Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has recently visited the British Heart Foundation shop in Haverfordwest, to meet shop staff, volunteers and customers. Following a recent independent report to the Welsh Government, there are concerns that the Business Minister will reduce the business rate relief for charity shops in Wales from 80 to 50 per cent, and to taper rate relief according to the rateable value of shops. If the rate proposals go ahead, the BHF Cymru Haverfordwest shop would need to find an additional £4,825 to pay on their annual rates bill – and an extra £150,000 countrywide if all their shops in Wales were to stay open.

Mr Davies said, "I was delighted to visit the British Heart Foundation shop in Haverfordwest to learn more about how the potential reduction in business rate relief for charity shops would impact the work of charities at a local level. The role of charity shops on the Welsh high street is important for our society and also for our local economy. It is essential that we recognise the valuable contribution charity shops make to the organisations they represent and the essential services that they help to provide, such as health research, nurses and palliative care. The staff and volunteers here do a tremendous job, and it's crucial that they can continue to do so, given that coronary heart disease is the single biggest killer in Wales. Therefore, I will be taking on board the concerns raised with me from the visit and I will be monitoring the Welsh Government's action on this issue over the coming months."