Topic: | Starbuck and business rates | |
Posted by: | Kevin Howard | |
Date/Time: | 13/11/15 08:22:00 |
It's an interesting question whether Starbucks do or do not pay business rates at this location presuming that is what you mean when you say business tax. As far as I can see there is currently a 100% exemption on rateable values under £6,000 and it is possible given the size and location that this outlet qualifies. As a larger company with lots of stores they wouldn't normally qualify but given their sophisticated regime of tax avoidance it isn't improbable that they separately incorporate each store to avoid paying. Either way the point that the rates doesn't cover collection of waste isn't really relevant. They may be paying privately for the collection of their rubbish but the point here is that their store is the source of litter in the area which is cleaned up by street cleaners paid for by the Council. That is part funded by the business rate and part funded by general taxation such as corporation tax of which Starbucks pays nothing. Why anybody uses this place is beyond me. We have lots of good independent coffee shops in Chiswick who serve better cheaper coffee and certainly pay both the business rates and corporation tax. Perhaps the kind of person that doesn't take this into account is the same kind of person who thoughtlessly tosses away their cup on the street when they have finished with it. |