Help for Audlem's small businesses

An Audlem retailer has told AudlemOnline about a scheme that will save their business £900 a year – and one that can mean getting business rates relief back-dated for several years. The retailer doesn't think it's been widely publicised and would like other local businesses to gain from it.

The details, which are under the logo of the new Cheshire East council say:

Are you are small Business?

"If so you may be able to claim Small Business Rate Relief of up to 50% if:
- You occupy only one business property in England with a Rateable Value of less than £15,000; or
- You occupy one main property and additional properties with a Rateable Value of less than £2,200 and the total Rateable Value of all the properties is less than £15,000.

"50% relief is granted to properties with a Rateable Value of less than £5,000. Small Business Relief is granted on a sliding scale for properties with a Rateable Value between £5,000 and £9,999 – at 1% for every £100 of Rateable Value between the two.

"No relief is granted for properties with a Rateable Value between £10,000 and £14,999 but the rates payable are calculated using the Small Business Multiplier – which is less than the standard multiplier."

After you have worked through that lot, you are asked to call 0300 123 5500, which, it appears is Cheshire East. Unfortunately, the person who answered the phone knew nothing about the scheme – which is troubling as this is the council that comes into being in only two weeks time – and suggested calling Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council on 01270 537771. This proved far more useful and the retailer was impressed by the way all was handled. It's suggested that other small businesses that might qualify should call C&NBC as soon as possible as they disappear on 31st March – it could be worth a lot of money.

The scheme is, we are told, "just one of many services available to businesses and individuals during these challenging conditions."

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.