Camden News: Alan Wright and Ronaldo Zanelli, Camley Street

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Camden News - by SARA NEWMAN
Published: 24 April 2008

Alan Wright and Ronaldo Zanelli

‘Rates could drive us out of business,’ say mechanics

CAR mechanics in a King’s Cross backstreet have warned the council they are being crippled by stiff business rates.
Alan Wright and Ronaldo Zanelli who work in Camley Street said they are dreading the upcoming rent reviews in November after watching annual business rates rise from £6,500 to £9,000 over the past three years.
On top of the £500 a year service charge, the business also pays £76 a quarter for dustbin collection but this figure does not include the disposal of oil and other industrial substances.
Mr Zanelli said: “It’s crippling us. We are in the middle of nowhere. Nobody seems to be able to find us. It’s worse than when we started in 1984. I don’t think Camden are helping small businesses. We’re hanging on by a thread.”
When they moved into the garages 24 years ago they were greeted by a burnt out, upside down car.
Mr Zanelli said: “On the weekend there is vandalism so we can’t leave vehicles outside. It’s a skeleton down here.”
Mr Wright added: “We pay for the refuse collection. We pay a service charge, so what are the business rates for anyway? We pay the money and get nothing.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We do not want to add to the many financial pressures facing local businesses.”
The garages in Camley Street were faced with additional charges to pay for clearing a pit that collects oil and grease, officers have claimed.
She added: “This would not need to be done annually and we therefore anticipate a reduction in service charges for 2009/10 for these businesses.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “If ratepayers disagree with the rateable value of their property, they may challenge it by making an appeal to the Valuations Office Agency or apply for Small Business Relief. Any reduction in rateable value would lead to a reassessment of the rate liability and could lead to a lower rate bill.”

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