Tŷ Hafan joined a number of charities at the Senedd to hand in a petition calling on the Welsh Government to reject plans to cut business rate relief for charity shops.

If proposals are given the green light, it will cost Tŷ Hafan £100,000 annually – the same amount needed to care for six to seven children every year.

Warren Alexander, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, presented the 22,600 name petition – signed by 6,000 Tŷ Hafan supporters – to William Powell, chair of the National Assembly's Petitions Committee.

Mr Alexander predicts a third of charity shops will be forced to close if the rate relief is reduced from 80% to 50%.

Tŷ Hafan currently operates 21 charity shops in south and mid Wales. Plans to open another two stores may need to be revisited if proposals are agreed by the Welsh Government.

Ray Hurcombe, CEO of Tŷ Hafan, said: “Implementing the proposals will have a detrimental impact on the charity’s ability to sustain its commitment to providing care for life limited children. Our shop business model is dependent on mandatory relief; any reduction or restriction in this would impact directly on the profitability of shops and ultimately care services to families in Wales.”

A Welsh Government consultation on whether business rate relief for charity shops should be restricted closed in December and the Government is currently reviewing evidence and is due to make a decision this month.

It takes millions of pounds every year to provide comfort, care and support to hundreds of life-limited children, young people and their families across Wales. Please make a donation and help us to continue being there for these families.