The Managing Director of one of the largest breweries in the UK has issued a warning to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding business rates. William Robinson, of Stockport based Robinson’s Brewery, has called for Rishi Sunak to scrap the business rates, which have been labelled unfair and outdated.
An opportunity for a tax overhaul
The Brewery has been family-run for nearly two centuries and has 260 pubs, inns and taverns. Through the lockdown, the rent for the property landlords was cancelled by the brewery in order to help them stay afloat. Now the Managing Director is insisting that the government will need to help in the long term, and that the Chancellor should make use of the pandemic, and seize it as a chance to overhaul taxation surrounding businesses.
Pubs are arguably suffering the worst as they are currently paying higher business rates than retail shops because the current system is focused around expected business as opposed to property size.
Mr Robinson has stated that the government should continue its cessation of business rates over the next couple years to allow pubs to survive and get back on their feet properly. He also argued that restaurants and high street shops are just as much at risk of failing to survive if current business rates are maintained.
He also mentioned that there seems to be an imbalance when it comes to online companies, saying: “There doesn’t seem to be a fair balance between the physical economy and digital economy on taxation.”
Pubs are closing down
The tax burden placed on pubs, especially during these unprecedented times, has already resulted in many closures across the country. Factors like business rates are only adding to the mounting cash flow problems faced by pubs throughout the UK.
Have your pub’s tax bills grown out of control?
At Clarke Bell, we can help you find a solution for when your business debts have got out of control. One option that could be right for you, is a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) – which enables you to deal with a company that is insolvent (i.e. cannot pay its bills when they are due).
This process will help you deal with your company’s debts and address all your legal obligations as a director. If this isn’t your ideal option, our Licensed Insolvency Practitioners will advise you on the best alternative solution for your situation.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to discuss the options which are available to your company, contact Clarke Bell now on [email protected] or 0161 907 4044.
We will not charge you for our initial consultation.
Any fees subsequently charged will depend on the solution you choose and will only apply once properly authorised.
Our advice is confidential.
