Business rates argued

Lauren Everitt • Published 20 Nov 2009 16:39 0 Comments

A HUGE hike in business rates is being fiercely opposed by the Royal Borough.

Some businesses will face increases of more than 50% and leaders of the four political groups have joined forces to launch a petition urging the government to reconsider.

The increases, which will start from April next year, will mean financial hardship for many independent businesses already experiencing tough times because of the recession.

Sean Kyne, who co-owns Pink and Brown in Sunninghill High Street, said: "It's fantastic that the council have set up a petition and that it is directly linked to their website."

Mr Kyne, who also founded the Sunninghill Trade Association, was one of many shops that received a letter from the Royal Borough saying their commercial rates were being increased by £2,000 a year after an inspection from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

He added: "It's about reality for shop owners and allegedly the recession is coming to an end but it's still very hard for businesses no matter how well we do today, tomorrow could be completely different."

The petition has already gained the support of the Chamber of Commerce in Windsor and Maidenhead as well as other organisations,

Cllr David Burbage, council leader and leader of the Conservative group, said: "These increases will have a huge detrimental impact on all businesses and a knock-on effect across the country, especially when the economic and financial markets have been so badly effected.

"We believe the 'death toll' will ring for many."

The petition states that the 50% plus rise in business rates will cause hardship for businesses and urges the government to review the situation in line with the Retail Price Index to allow growth during the economic downturn.

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "This could be the final nail in the coffin for some of our local businesses and shops. We all need to stand up and say 'no' to this plan."

Anyone wanting to sign the petition can do online at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/business_rates_petition.htm

Tweet

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @bracknellnews