Chamber news from Delphine Greenhalgh

Delphine Greenhalgh is Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

I hope the year has started well for you and your business? For me, things have been really busy, both within my own business, DG Consultancy, and also my work at the Chamber. We’re currently finalising our priorities and activity for the year by asking businesses what their priorities are, so do get in touch with us if there’s an issue you’d like us to focus on.

One of the big problems for a number of people is business rates and this is a topic that we will be tackling at our next Action for Business forum on 5 March at the Norton Grange Hotel. At the end of last year, the Chancellor declared that additional support would be provided to the retail sector through a business rates discount of up to £1,000 in 2014-15 and 2015-16 for retail properties with a rateable value of up to £50,000, and a 50% discount on business rates for new occupants of previously empty retail premises for 18 months. This is welcome news for town centres across the country, including ours.

The Chancellor also committed to considering new ways of administering the business rates system from 2017. The business rates system as it stands is a burden on many businesses and is desperately in need of wholesale reform, but the government appears to be approaching the forthcoming discussions seeking a fiscally neutral outcome, meaning any changes will be entirely redistributive. The Chamber has called upon the government to go further and fundamentally change the system and we stand ready to work with government to support this aim.

The new rates bills will be coming out soon, so everyone should be aware of what discounts they may be eligible for. If you need advice, the Chamber runs a free service for members called Chamber Plus, which can save businesses money on their rates and other costs such as utilities and fuel. If you'd like to find out more about how we can help potentially save your business money, contact steven.nathaniel@gmchamber.co.uk  

I know that many businesses get fed up with cold callers promising business rate reductions. If they haven’t inspected your property they have no idea what is possible. You could end up worse off! Don’t ever pay fees up front and contact the Chamber for advice if you are in any doubt.

If you’d like to take part in the discussion around business rates, Chris Stern, my Vice President and a specialist in business rating, will be leading the debate at our event on 5 March, and we’ll also be welcoming Mark Widdup, Director of Economy & Environment at Rochdale Council, who will be giving us an update on developments in the town centre. I hope to see many of you there.

Delphine Greenhalgh

Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce