Call-out to appeal against business rates
Businesses trading in Plymouth City Centre are being urged to get in touch with Plymouth City Centre Company about completing a simple form to join the official business rates appeal process before 31 March.
The Government announced in February that from 1 April 2015 they will be radically changing the period for claims. Up until Tuesday 31 March 2015 business can appeal against the business rates up to seven years backdated, but from Wednesday 1 April 2015 this is being reduced to only two years.
Plymouth City Centre Company collected data that a high number of city centre businesses paying rates larger than their current rental values and should follow the appeal process and apply for rebates.
Stefan Krause, Plymouth City Centre Manager, said: “This is an urgent call-out to businesses to remind them to get their claims into the Government. We are happy to assist all BID businesses in the city centre as they are paying too much in business rates. We are also working in partnership with Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry to spread the word quickly about this important change of legislation which will impact on national chains and even a higher number of small and independent businesses.
“Getting the claim in before the end of March could be the difference between seven and two years backdated rates – this will be a very substantial figure for most businesses, and something I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on.”
Chair of Plymouth Federation of Small Businesses, Lesley Shorrocks, supports the call to businesses to make sure they are not penalised by this change. She commented:
“Business rates are a substantial cost to many small firms on the high street, nearly one in ten spending more on rates than on rent, so it’s vital businesses understand this appeal process change before it’s too late.”
To make an appeal, businesses can download the forms available from HMRC and send to the VOA for processing. For more information visit www.gov.uk/business-rate-appeals or get in touch with Plymouth City Centre Company info@citycentrebid.co.uk
The Plymouth City Centre Company supports businesses in the City Centre Business Improvement District and helps to inform them of legislative changes. The BID has been in place for ten years and is currently re-balloting members for the 2015-20 business plan.
Stefan added: “We will also further advocate that business rates is an outdated unfair tax scheme and we will continue to support the City Centre business community by working in partnership with other national bodies to alert the Government about the difference they can make in the interests of both our high-street chains and independent retailers and all those who work and live in town and city centres - not only in Plymouth.”
The Plymouth City Centre BID vote for eligible businesses to vote for the third BID term 2015-2020 is open now and result of the BID ballot will be announced on Tuesday 17 March, 5pm.
