Business Rates - Why so bloody high?

[Eric Mc]

As I said, we don't have local government in this country anymore. Councils are mere collecting agents for central government - and conduits for enacting unpopular government legislation - such as CRB checks.

[DSM2]

davido140 said:

precisely why we rent a suite at a "business centre" type place. The host company pays the rates.

Buying a small tading estate unit would make far more sense for us, we could probably buy something outright.

However we'd pay more in business rates than we do in rent now!!!!

Go figure...

Mmmmm. I'm sure you're paying your share of the rates.

Unless it's a government sponsored 'business centre', in which case we all pay a share of your rates.

[Digga]

I was in Madrid the year before last and - whilst I do not want to hold up the Spanish economic model as a paragon - I was impressed by the variety and number of independant, privateley owned businesses in the city centre. Here, most of our towns and cities have long since degenerated into a monotonous, repetitive pattern of corporate retailers.

Business rates are an evil stealth tax because they are totally independant of the venture's ability to pay them and are a direct disincentive to enterprise and epmloyment.

The new empty premises tax is a clumsy effort. It might stop big developers blanketing the place with speculative builds, but it also robs businesses of the ability to find vacant property - rent or purcahse - and is another hindrance to enterprise. It is yet another signal (not that one is needed) of how economically inept and enrepreneurially dyslexic the current administration is.

[CoopR]

Digga said:

I was in Madrid the year before last and - whilst I do not want to hold up the Spanish economic model as a paragon - I was impressed by the variety and number of independant, privateley owned businesses in the city centre. Here, most of our towns and cities have long since degenerated into a monotonous, repetitive pattern of corporate retailers.

Going back to what someone said about the EU funding, spain is very good and making sure they get what's due to them. Without a doubt most of those businesses are getting EU cash to help them.

Personally i don't think it's a bad thing, overall it does help the community and economy and love or hate the EU it's criminal that the UK government does so little about helping UK businesses take advantage. God knows we pay into it enough.