Traders stunned by plea for cash to fund local business support scheme (From York Press)

Traders stunned by plea for cash to fund local business support scheme

9:20am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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TRADERS have hit out after being asked if they would like to pay hundreds of pounds to City of York Council – for a scheme to support local businesses.

The authority has written to businesses to seek their views on paying fees to help fund a proposed “approved trader” scheme, which would recognise and promote businesses which operate to the highest standards of fair and safe trading.

But the letter comes just as traders are facing massive hikes in their business rates.

Landlady Paula Allen, who, as The Press reported yesterday, is facing a staggering 200 per cent rise in her business rates at the Castle Howard Ox pub in The Groves, said there was no way she would pay out any more for the trader scheme.

She said: “If we receive such a letter, it will be going straight in the bin. It’s unbelievable. We would have to sell a lot more beer to raise enough money to pay that.”

A spokesman for Rumours bar in Micklegate, whose rateable value is set to double from £15,000 to £30,000, and hairdresser Terry Smith, of Tang Hall, have also criticised the proposals.

Colin Rumford, head of environmental health and trading standards, said in the letter that traders within the scheme would agree to abide by certain principles and would be allowed to market their businesses as being “approved” by the council.

“The scheme and its logo would be promoted to residents and they would be encouraged to use the services of members,” he said.

He said there would be an annual fee for membership to pay for the employment of an officer to administer and promote the scheme, which would depend on the size of the business. Businesses employing between one and ten people would pay approximately £200, those employing between 11 and 20 would pay £1,000 and those employing more than 21 would pay £5,000.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council, said: “The non-compulsory scheme, if formally launched, will provide consumers with a directory of reputable traders which is vetted by the council and police. Any businesses or members that sign up to this scheme will need to pay a fee to use the service, which will enable them to use the official logo identifying they are a reputable trader.”