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18 Sep 2026

V12 Retail Finance has reported strong summer trading among bike retailers, with June consistently outperforming previous years and finance volumes in both July and August 2026 notably higher...

18 Sep 2026

ACT will host a retailer panel discussion at this year's Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live), bringing together independent bike dealers to discuss the realities of running a cycle retail...

17 Sep 2026

The Bikeability Trust has launched CycleIn, a new e-learning programme designed to help adults build their cycling skills and confidence on the road.

17 Sep 2026

The London Cycling Festival will return on 20 September 2026, bringing organised, family-friendly cycling events to 19 London boroughs.

16 Sep 2026

A further 11 employment law reforms are expected to take effect in October as part of the rollout of the Employment Rights Act 2025, with WorkNest providing retailers with...

15 Sep 2026

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Chancellor's growth ambitions but says independent retailers now need to see the benefit in their own cost base.
 

11 Sep 2026

The ACT will bring independent bike dealers together for a retailer panel at Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) 2026, with the IBD Retail Reality Check set to examine the realities of running...

10 Sep 2026

The E-Bike Positive Trust Mark was discussed at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking, as industry and safety organisations highlighted progress and the need...

3 Sep 2026

Ahead of Cycling Industry Live 2026, which runs over 20-21 September 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, fresh statistics have emphasised how important the bike trade believes getting...

1 Sep 2026

A risk audit can help retailers identify gaps between their security setup and insurance requirements before a costly incident puts their cover at risk. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business,...

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750 UK firms sued daily for failing to pay rocketing business rates

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

 All councils within England were requested to provide details of how many businesses had been taken to court for non-payment of their business rates during the 2018/19 financial year. Figures show that a total of 171,018 businesses were summoned, which totals 9.83% of the 1,740,073 non-domestic properties liable for business rates.


According to real estate firm, Altus Group, the overall number works out at around 750 businesses being summoned across England every single day. The tax that medium and large businesses in England are required to pay rose by 2.4% on 1st April for 2019/20, making it the first time that the tax rates for businesses in England has gone above 50%.


The top five councils with the most summons, by volume, were Westminster (6,882); Birmingham (6,166); Manchester (5,228); Liverpool (4,254) and Leeds (3,497).

 

How to reduce your business rates


While business rates often account for a large portion of expenditure, it is generally unknown that many businesses could actually be paying less. ActSmart are partnered with RatesRecovery, a leading business rates appeal company whose specialist Chartered Surveyors have over 40 years of experience in saving businesses money.


RatesRecovery with ActSmart can offer you a free consultation, 20% off the standard fee and a no win no fee guarantee. RatesRecovery count Mothercare, Specsavers, English Rural and 4com among the many thousands of businesses they have represented but regardless of the size of your business RatesRecovery will take all the hassle out of appealing.


RatesRecovery guarantee their clients:

  • An honest and transparent service with help and advice available whenever it is required
  • High levels of savings with no upfront charges and a no win, no fee service
  • Support from highly experienced Chartered Surveyors
  • Only a Chartered Surveyor will visit you; never a sales person

Visit the ActSmart wesbite to find out more information on how you can reduce your business rates.

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