Town Centre Business Rates

Chamber call for action on rates brings reductions.


By applying pressure on the Valuations Office, alongside independent activity by a number of national traders, the Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce President, Keith Watson, has succeeded in securing a commitment to offering traders in Crown Walk a reduction in their Business Rates.

Shops in Crown Walk should be receiving letters detailing proposed reductions due to the disruption caused by the re-alignment of the Bure and the number of empty units.  This does not however extend outside the Crown Walk area as far as we are aware.

Our advice to traders in Crown Wall is to seek further concession once you are in receipt of this letter. It may well secure a further reduction.

To traders in the Market Square, Sheep Street, etc you may well feel that your businesses were also affected, especially by the road works.  If you can demonstrate that your takings were down over this period, then you should also write to the Valuations Officer detailing your claim.

With building works due to re-starte in January 2012 it is important that all traders:

• Keep records of monthly takings going forward fro comparison purposes when further works start in January 2012.
• Have these records verified by their accountants.

These can then be used to support further claims for reductions during 2012 and 2013.  

If you are national high street trader and can access trading figures for other locations comparable to Bicester, that demonstrate your outlet here under performs, then this information would be extremely useful.  If you are able to share this please contact the Chairman on ben@bbkmedia.com

Please remember that an active, local, Chamber of Commerce, delivers tangible support for businesses, but can only do so if it seen as having a representative membership.  To carry on supporting you and delivering these sort of outcomes we need you as a member.  If you are not already a member and would like to talk to somebody about joining please e-mail ben@bbkmedia.com or gail@bicesterwills.co.uk and we will be in touch.