6th November 2017 Posted by - Alexander Accountancy
For victims of the Burton Bridge closures. Are you one of the many businesses suffering because your trade has been hit by the closure of St Peter’s Bridge in Burton? Do you need financial support to help overcome the effects, or compensation for the loss of business that can never be recovered?
Did you know “Hardship Funds” are available?
Whilst it has been publicised that businesses can apply for relief with their business rates, the existence of the “Hardship Fund” appears to have been hidden in the small print. As members of Burton District Chamber of Commerce, Alexander Accountancy believes the local business community has the right for this to be made more accessible.
Due to the short notice given about the bridge closures, and the lack of any study to understand the likely effects it may have, local businesses did not have the opportunity to make and introduce any contingency plans. As a result there are overheads that with more warning and better planning could have been reduced.
In some cases businesses are struggling to survive, jobs are at risk and this is where the “Hardship Fund” should kick in and save the day. However at the time of writing this article we are not aware of any awards being made, the only application we can report back on took six weeks to be decided and was declined. When so much time and effort is concentrated on publicising how Local and Regional Councils, together with Central Government support the creation of new jobs, why are they so casual about putting existing jobs at risk and not trying to save them? If you need support to save your business and existing jobs, the contact number to apply for “Hardship Funding” is 01283 508416
Why not claim compensation?
Due to the lack of any proactive will being shown to help those businesses that are suffering, one group are considering taking the initiative to claim compensation. If you believe your business has suffered significant financial losses due to the closure of St Peter’s Bridge you could be entitled to compensation. The first step is to join a group now being set up for what is called a “Class Action”. This spreads any cost and risk of going down the legal route, and as a group member you can take legal advice at the highest level and insure against the award of adverse costs if the claim fails. If you believe you have suffered significant financial losses and would benefit from meeting with this group, then in the first instance you should email ch********@el*****.uk to register an interest.
Want to find out if any of this applies to you?
If you are unsure if you have suffered significant financial losses your accountant should be able to help you quantify this by a simple breakdown of key figures. As members of the Burton District Chamber of Commerce who are championing this cause, and a practice that cares about the local business community, Alexander Accountancy have decided to offer a free review for businesses that are struggling to get the help and advice they need. If you want to take advantage of this offer of free advice please email da***@al*******************.uk or telephone Burton upon Trent 01283 743851.
UPDATE!
Burton and District Chamber of Commerce held a workshop last Thursday in Burton, where the bridge was discussed.
They distributed a handout which we’ve added here as a pdf enabling you to download it. Please get in touch if you needed further advice.
PS – Excuse the handwritten notes on the pdf, this info was given during the presentation.
