Manchester city council has announced business rates payments will be delayed in April in order to ‘minimise their expenditure’ during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Coun Carl Ollerhead, Manchester city council’s executive member for finance and human resources, said on Thursday direct debits will also not be taken in April until the 100% Retail Relief has been applied.
The council has urged businesses to pay what they can and seek advice, where possible, from banks and business support.
Coun Ollerhead said: “It’s important that we can support businesses and minimise their expenditure while relief and support from central government is put into action.
“We understand this will be a worrying time for business owners of all sizes and we will do what we can to help as the situation evolves.
“Information is available on the Council website for business owners, including business rates, sick pay for employees, and links through to the Government loan scheme.”
The council also announced it suspended all bailiff action to recover business rates that are overdue until the end of June.
It will also agree special payment plans for businesses that contact them, so business rates due for 2020/21 are split over 9 months from July 2020 to March 2021.
The council also said it will suspend all recovery action for an initial three month period for businesses that are in the retail, hospitality or leisure industry.
“We would urge all businesses to keep in touch with us, ensure that they are getting all the reliefs and support that they are entitled to, and to let us know how we can support them during this challenging period,” the Manchester city council added.
