Licensees urged to avoid rates cowboys
Licensees have been urged to take professional advice to avoid cowboy operators who promise to reduce their business rates bill.
Michael Yass, an associate at pub property company Fleurets, was warning attendees a a business rates roadshows, which have been organised by the BII with the support of The Publican.
Speaking at the Kensington pub in London Yass said: "If you get advice, make sure it is the right advice from somebody who knows what they are talking about.
"There are a large number of companies out there who say they can reduce you rates liability and promise not to charge you anything up front."
He added that rogue traders would charge licensees up to £800 once they had established contact with the Valuation Office.
He went on to urge licensees to make sure they take advice from companies who are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Rating Surveyors Association or the Institute of Ratings Revenues & Valuations.
Licensees at the event also spoke about their own business rates experience.
Lorenzo Carnevale-Maffe, of the Unicorn in Canterbury, Kent, said: "My bill has recently gone up from £800 a month to around £960, which I would like to appeal.
"We have also been contacted by lots of cold callers but I contacted the Valuation Office directly and they gave me the initial information I needed."
And Nigel Anstead, licensee of the White Horse in Bedford, added: "Our concern is that we have been quite successful so we want to make sure our rateable value is based on fair maintainable trade - we don't want to be penalised for our success."
The Seminar of Two Halves events have been taking place at Punch Taverns pubs across the country and also feature tips from Carlsberg on boosting business during the World Cup.
Tickets for the roadshows are £10 each. To book a place call 01202 242714 or email regionalevents@bii.org
Remaining Roadshows
April 8 - The Codrington Arms, Yate, Bristol
April 13 - The Horseshoe, Hall Green, Birmingham,
April 14 - Old White Hart, Beeston, Leeds
April 15 - The Dene, Dovedale Road, Sunderland
April 27 - The Sun, London Road, Romford
April 29 - Daniel Thwaites Brewery Visitor Centre, Blackburn
