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3 Jan 2024

For our latest retailer spotlight, we spoke with Steven Grimwood from the brilliant Elmy Cycles in Ipswich, who has been working in the cycle trade since he was 14 years old

3 Jan 2024

Bike theft in the UK has effectively been 'decriminalised' as more than 365,000 cases went unsolved in the last five years, the Liberal Democrats have claimed.

3 Jan 2024

A new year means new challenges – but also new opportunities for cycle traders too and planning now so you can gain a competitive advantage and thrive in the warmer months will be key to...

2 Jan 2024

Hudjo is the first online marketplace that lets cyclists park with locals, which relieves the anxiety of parking your bike. 

20 Dec 2023

The ACT office will be open as usual (9am-5pm) for the majority of the Christmas period, with some exceptions.

19 Dec 2023

Bira's CEO, Andrew Goodacre, took the spotlight on BBC Breakfast this week and later spoke with Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live, shedding light on the rise in retail crime and shop theft,...

14 Dec 2023

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a new safety message, highlighting the steps people should take when owning or thinking of buying an e-bike or scooter.

13 Dec 2023

A bike shop that was created to provide jobs for ex-offenders leaving prison has now become a safe space for people to park their bikes.

11 Dec 2023

ACT member On The Brakes in Leigh on Sea, Essex is celebrating after being named independent business of the year in a local competition set up by a local MP to celebrate the “incredible...

11 Dec 2023

A controversial ban on e-bikes in certain pedestrianised parts of Coventry city centre has come into force, with the deputy leader of the council warning that riders can expect strict...

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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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