Dear Dame,
The other day I was having a business meeting in Duke of York Square when the Mayor introduced himself saying he was on a Walkabout to encourage business post lockdown.
I own a small business in Walton Street and the purpose of my meeting, interrupted by the Mayor, was to discuss with my financial adviser how I could keep going faced with the double barbed challenge of Business Rates and rent charged by a rapacious landlord.
My rent is £65,000 a year and the Council demands another £32,000 a year in Business Rates.
This is before I pay staff and other costs.
It is time the Council and our two MP's, Greg Hands and Felicity Buchan made reform of Business Rates an absolute priority.
For too long we have had empty promises from a Conservative government that pretends to be pro-business.
So, Mr Mayor, though Walkabouts may look good they do nothing to encourage business....and remember that local business creates jobs and a vibrant community.
Regards,
A Royal Borough struggling shop owner
No sure why anyone would start a business these days.Not worth the hard work and heartbreak
ReplyDeleteCome on, MP's....what are you doing to help us?
ReplyDeleteRegarding business rates, RBKC acts only as an agent of HMRC, in return for a small percentage of the "take." Commercial property owners and tenants are comparatively few, well documented and static. Owners no longer have a vote.
ReplyDeleteSuccessive governments have found it convenient to raise business rates to unsustainable levels, while the general public believes it pays less tax. In fact, prices for all goods and services incorporate a percentage to cover business rates, VAT, corporation tax and staff NI etc.
The government declares how much money must be raised overall. Councils carve up their "share," based on local rent levels. In areas like RBKC, landlord greed ensures that commercial properties are unsustainable for tenants. Even when a landlord charges a reasonable rent, the business rates remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, money laundering businesses are untroubled by their overheads and online businesses pay virtually no tax at all.
If this Mayor wanted to support local businesses, why didn't he put his hands in his no doubt deep pockets and buy a drink or a lunch even during his walkabout? I witnessed him myself during this PR exercise and all he seemed interested in really was being photographed with his ridiculous chain and one of the Cadogan family.
ReplyDelete