CHILDCARE nurseries in Leeds are set to receive a welcome boost, as Leeds City Council extends its discretionary business rate relief scheme to the sector.

Providing welcome news to nursery providers, facing rising costs and a downshift in demand post Covid-19, the changes will enable the council to support some of the 100 plus childcare nurseries in Leeds, with targeted targeted business rate relief.

The support follows the withdrawal of statutory rate relief in 2022, offering much needed breathing room for childcare providers in Leeds.

Nurseries will be able to apply for support once the council's successful business rate relief scheme reopens in October 2023.

Successful applicants receive up to £15,000 off their annual rate bills, providing recipients more scope for investing in innovation, research and development or allow them to ease growing pressure on operational costs.

The support is intended to allow firms to retain and create the kind of high-quality employment opportunities that underpin the council’s ambitions for inclusive growth.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture, and education, said: “Childcare plays a crucial role across Leeds. Extending this discretionary business rate relief scheme to childcare day nurseries will provide a welcome boost to the sector. “