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INDEPENDENT SURVEY
Sue Needham Cot 'N' Togs We are concerned that small business rate relief is available to only a tiny percentage of shops. The government needs to be lobbied to address this unfairness and help to keep the smaller businesses viable.
Matt Booker
Automattic Comics and Toys I know my MP; he has been into the shop and supported events like Corsham Sci-fi day that we help with. My local council are fantastic and as I’m renowned for sci- fi, for the 50th Anniversary of Dr Who they made a floral Dalek in the High Street for the local in bloom competition.
Duncan Conner Bus Stop Toy Shop The Small Business Bonus Scheme introduced by the Scottish Government, which means we pay no business rates for our small store, is a tremendous benefit to us. Beyond that, however, we receive very little support from local government.
Sheila Broad Busy Kids Toys We get help in that our rates are free because the premises are small and we only have one shop, but other than that I would say quite the opposite, because of all the applications for take-aways which seem to be automatically granted. Also, there have been numerous requests for better signage and various related things which seem to fall on deaf ears. We are part of Cheshire East council and being a small town we seem to be way down the food chain
Julian Shelford Final Frontier Where my shop is based we are a BID city and pay an annual levy based on the shop rateable value. As a business, we are very proactive and occasionally get some support from the local council, however it seems to go on large events rather than independent stores.
Linda Moore Giles Toys
Our MP is the PM and the only support is given to his main constituency town Witney. Not sure local government knows where Carterton is.
Caroline Anstey Imagine..! Our MP, Jason McCartney, is supportive of local business.
Martin Brammer Jigsaws R Us Seeing as local government raise and collect taxes through very high business rates, I would suggest that local government has a massive impact on SMEs, and a reduction in those would be a great step to helping the High Street and SMEs out.
Charlotte Croser Jollys I am grateful for two very
compared to places like Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford.
Alka Poole Chelsea Toys They are not interested in helping small independents at all. They are just interested in getting their share of the business rates, etc.
supportive initiatives from local government – exemption from paying business rates, and then a 50 per cent reduction for the following year. Plus, local government support and encouragement for a planning application to build a new supermarket right in the heart of our High Street in Thrapston, Northamptonshire (rather than outside the town). Myself and most of my retail neighbours are very excited about it because of the increased footfall it will bring, and the inclusion of extra, free car parking which has been included in the plan thanks to lobbying from our councillors. Beyond this kind of assistance, it is up to us as retailers and business owners to get out there and make our business the best it can be.
Anthony Lamb Lambs Toy Shop Left wing loonies only interested in lining their own pockets and painting yellow lines. They should write a book about it: How to destroy a Victorian market town.
David Austin Lobster Diecast In my experience they aren't interested in small, local business and prefer to spend time and effort on the multinationals and bigger business. These look more impressive in headlines and press releases rather than doing anything for small, local business.
Cate O'Neill Petalina I'm not aware of there being any support, although my MP did recently try and help with an issue. I wish there
HOW MUCH SUPPORT DOES YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT GIVE TO YOUR BUSINESS?
9% - LOTS 3% - A REASONABLE AMOUNT 35% - MINIMAL 38% - NONE
15% - QUITE THE OPPOSITE
www.toynews-online.biz October 29
was more help regarding the High Street. The public would love to see more independent retailers opening up with interesting offerings, but everything is so expensive it is prohibitive. They have also tried to introduce local enterprise markets in our market place monthly. I thought this was a really good idea, but there wasn't any equipment available for hire so I haven't bothered. I don't really want to set myself up as a market stall holder just for the odd occasion.
Katie Sykes Roly Poly's Little People We get small business rate relief but that's it. And business rates are extortionate anyway.
Sally Brooming The Hare and the Broom There is one guy who champions local businesses and he is terrific in Havant Borough Council. In Portsmouth Council though, there is no equivalent that we have found to date.
Daeron McGee Toytown Lots of talk, lots of initiatives, no action of any use. Quite often we feel that our businesses need to be protected from local government help.
Mike Toyzone 247 We have had no support, it’s like we do not exist. Maybe we are just too small.
Mark Stewart Wise Owl Toys Minimal. Worcester BID is very proactive though.
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