Business Rate Increases

In 2017 the government implemented huge business rate increases in Tower Hamlets and Hackney amongst many other areas in England. This put many small shops out of business and effectively doubled the rates in Paul's previous shop.

Gardners' appeared on BBC News, ITV News and Channel 5 News in relation to this. Paul also attended 10 Downing Street on behalf of independent traders with a 10,000 signature strong petition calling on the Government to provide more support for small businesses.

Video courtesy of Channel 5 News

Rates revaluation could finish off high street, warn small businesses : An article by the Guardian featuring Gardners looking into the effects of rising business rates on small businesses.

London’s independent shops under threat:soaring property values and looming rates hike threaten small businesses across the capital (16/2/2017): Homes and Property investigate the increase of business rates in 2017, focusing on Gardners.

Petition calling for protection from Business Rates hikes handed to Downing Street (7/3/2017) : An article from Hackney Goverment about the time Paul, together with Len Maloney of JC Motors and Sarah Haque of Urban Species handed a petition to 10 Downing Street in protest of high business rate increases.

Video courtesy of ITV News

Petition opposing business rates hike handed to Downing Street (7/3/2017) : The Hackney Citizen article looks into the rise of business rates at the time and the petition small business sent to Downing Street due to this.

Rates hike petition: Impact on Hackney is ‘unjustifiable’ says Mayor (7/3/2017) : Article from the Hackney Gazette in relation to the above.

East End businesses rally to stop rate hikes (7/3/2017) : Article from Farneare.org on the above.