The future of The Village indoor market, which is breathing new life into Inverness city centre, is at risk following a ruling by the Highland and Western Isles valuation appeal committee.
It has ruled the venture be treated as one store rather than small individual businesses. The judgement means that the traders are unable to apply for small business rates relief, leaving an unaffordable rates bill of more than £42,000.
Given the committee has acknowledged it was "a difficult marginal case", we demand the decision be overturned.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 15, 2013
December 13, 2013
We hit one hundred signatures today. Now send this link to your local representative and demand they reverse this unfair tax ruling.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2013
December 11, 2013
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this milestone before we approach the valuation committee. Please text three people tonight and ask them to sign this petition so we can prove the scale of local support.
323 Comments
The Village is one of the most inspiring enterprises I've been in. If would be very unfair to the stallholders and to Inverness - I have even been raving about it to friends in Glasgow and we were considering making a trip up there to go!
It's downright silly. The traders of Inverness need all the support they can get.. Without like of the village how else can fledgling traders grow enough to perhaps one day take occupancy of the many empty retail units the town is dominated by. Do the right thing!
Surely it would make sense to get several small amounts in rates as against NOTHING for yet another eyesore empty shop. This is yet another kick in the teeth for the small trader. It calls into question why exactly councillors want these sort of places shut down.
In the Village's surruonding area there are 15 empty lots and numerous betting shops (3 on Queensgate within steps of each other!) Is this favourable to small, innovate community hubs, loved by the local people and envied by other towns and cities?
The village is making a positive impact on a once desolate street. Enforcing this rate and thus the unavoidable closure of those small businesses in the village will only surmount to yet another nail in the coffin of the Inverness Town centre
Unbelievable and I have just photographed at least 19 for sale or rent properties in the town. You guys are just what we need - an interesting outlet with lots of varied goods for sale. I am appalled your voice has not been listened to!
Avoch
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The future of The Village indoor market, which is breathing new life into Inverness city centre, is at risk following a ruling by the Highland and Western Isles valuation appeal committee.
It has ruled the venture be treated as one store rather than small individual businesses. The judgement means that the traders are unable to apply for small business rates relief, leaving an unaffordable rates bill of more than £42,000.
Given the committee has acknowledged it was "a difficult marginal case", we demand the decision be overturned.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 15, 2013
December 13, 2013
We hit one hundred signatures today. Now send this link to your local representative and demand they reverse this unfair tax ruling.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2013
December 11, 2013
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this milestone before we approach the valuation committee. Please text three people tonight and ask them to sign this petition so we can prove the scale of local support.
323 Comments
If any of the commitee had actually been in The Village they would know immediately it was made up of many different businesses working under one roof. A lovely community feel when you walk in and every trader is friendly and always happy to help.
The Village is one of the most inspiring enterprises I've been in. If would be very unfair to the stallholders and to Inverness - I have even been raving about it to friends in Glasgow and we were considering making a trip up there to go!
It's downright silly. The traders of Inverness need all the support they can get.. Without like of the village how else can fledgling traders grow enough to perhaps one day take occupancy of the many empty retail units the town is dominated by. Do the right thing!
Surely it would make sense to get several small amounts in rates as against NOTHING for yet another eyesore empty shop. This is yet another kick in the teeth for the small trader. It calls into question why exactly councillors want these sort of places shut down.
In the Village's surruonding area there are 15 empty lots and numerous betting shops (3 on Queensgate within steps of each other!) Is this favourable to small, innovate community hubs, loved by the local people and envied by other towns and cities?
The village is making a positive impact on a once desolate street. Enforcing this rate and thus the unavoidable closure of those small businesses in the village will only surmount to yet another nail in the coffin of the Inverness Town centre
Unbelievable and I have just photographed at least 19 for sale or rent properties in the town. You guys are just what we need - an interesting outlet with lots of varied goods for sale. I am appalled your voice has not been listened to!
Avoch
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 750 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
If any of the commitee had actually been in The Village they would know immediately it was made up of many different businesses working under one roof. A lovely community feel when you walk in and every trader is friendly and always happy to help.