Trafford Council’s website
www.trafford.gov.uk/business provides
information and services for businesses
and also links to other useful websites
that assist businesses. During the current
time, business ratepayers are being
encouraged to apply for business rate
relief. Over 1,400 local businesses in
Trafford receive help under the small
business rate relief scheme. And some
businesses receive a reduction in their
bill of up to 50 per cent. More details of
how to apply for this help, or any of the
other kinds of relief available to
business ratepayers can be found at
www.trafford.gov.uk or by telephoning
the Business Rates Section on 0161 912
2346.
A partnership of the 11 local authorities
across Greater Manchester, Blackpool and
Blackburn with Darwen has resulted in the
Ask about Business initiative which
provides business information across a
network of participating libraries –
Trafford’s is in Altrincham Library. The
project is designed to help pre-start and
new businesses as well as existing
businesses, inventors and business
students. In addition, the specially set
up website offers a host of practical
information and guidance.
Business Rates
The business rates policy is set by
central government and business rates
are collected by the local authority,
sent to a central account held by the
Department for Communities and Local
Government and then redistributed back
to local authorities as part of the
local government finance settlement.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), part of
HM Revenue and Customs, assesses
rateable values which are used for
working out business rates bills.
Business Rates Deferral Scheme
In 2012/13, you are able to defer (delay)
paying 3.2% of your rates bill. If you
apply for this scheme, the delayed
amount will be collected in 2013/14 and
2014/15.
More details on this and information about
business rates and other types of
business rate relief are available via
the Department for Communities and Local
Government website:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localgovernmentfinance/businessrates/
or via Trafford Council’s Business Rates
section, e-mail:
business.rates@trafford.gov.uk or telephone: 0161 912 2346. There is
also information via the Council’s
website:
www.trafford.gov.uk/Business/BusinessRates
and the NWVOA website,
http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate.
Business Link
The very comprehensive Business Link
website,
www.businesslink.gov.uk can
offer advice and support to any type of
business, whether you're starting up,
already running a business or looking to
develop. It has a range of interactive
tools on everything you need to start
and grow a business. Sales, marketing,
social media, financial management and
employing people are just some of the
topics covered. It is a free service
available online and there is also a
telephone helpline.
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