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Impending Government Cuts Worry Struggling Businesses

13 September 2010

With more government spending cuts looming and some town centres resembling ‘ghost towns', many businesses are concerned for their survival.

An estimated 117,000 premises are now vacant or boarded up, with a large ‘to let' sign the only recent decoration. A separate report estimated that 9,000 stores ceased trading in the first six months of this year, equating to fifty shops a day.

The hardest hit areas seem to be in the Midlands and the North, echoing the findings of a recent study that these areas are the least resilient to economic shock.

Although economic recovery is underway, high street shops are still struggling to pay large bills for business rates and rents. For many, parking and access issues to their premises add to the growing headache of starting and maintaining a new business in these tough times.

Many owners argue that local councils should be doing more to help struggling businesses, but some are still unaware of the reliefs that are available.

Tim Bonham, Chief Executive Officer at Ruddle Merz comments, "Every opportunity needs to be investigated for new and existing businesses, to ensure their overheads are not higher than they need to be. Ruddle Merz have successfully reduced business rates for many clients, not only by challenging rateable values, but also by claiming relief for empty space and material changes of circumstances (MCC's) as well as rent negotiations. We essentially provide a ‘hassle free' service, taking care of all required paperwork, leaving the client free to deal with the day to day running of the business. With our ‘no win no fee' basis, there is nothing to be lost by employing our services and much to be gained."

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