| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Pavement Dining | |
| Posted by: | Mark Talbot | |
| Date/Time: | 18/01/17 12:23:00 |
| Anita, with respect I do not believe a local business should be taxed to the maximum degree, quite the opposite; but I do believe that LA owned pavements when used for revenue generating seating should pay a licence fee (rent) for the space commensurate with what that space generates for the business using it. Who says licencing isn't meant to be a revenue generator please? A statement like "Things have really got out of hand if it is contributing to the closure of businesses." is simply incorrect in the context of pavement seating licence fees which are de minimis compared to rent and rates overheads. We should be far more concerned about rental levels the occupiers have agreed to pay over the last 7 yrs being unsustainable which in turn have led to the rateable value revaluations following those agreed rents. Please believe me when I say I am on the occupiers side when it comes to rent and rates, I have just always had the belief that pavement seating licences are very undersold by LAs across the UK, not just Hounslow, when considering how a business benefits from the same. |