Should Christmas Markets pay rates

Response to this request is long overdue. By law, under all circumstances, Manchester City Council should have responded by now (details). You can complain by requesting an internal review.

Dear Manchester City Council,

I am concerned that the Manchester Christmas markets do not appear to be assessed for business rates purposes putting established pubs and restaurants at a distinct disadvantage, which must be contrary to EU law in that this essentially forms a type of state aid.

The markets seems to satisfy the 4 essentials of rateable occupation; there is actual occupation, it is of benefit, it is exclusive and the occupation is not too tranisent, indeed this appears to be the 15th successive year.

I would be grateful if could confirm that these marketswill be assessed and presumably they can be entered from the start of this Revaluation.

Yours faithfully,

Nicola Burke

Manchester City Council

Dear Ms Burke

Re: Request for Information - Reference No: COR/NNDR/9DGK5L

Thank you for your request for information which was received by Manchester
City Council on 14 November 2013.

Please note that it may take up to 20 working days (approximately 4 weeks)
for the Council to consider your request and to provide a formal response.

If this timescale needs to be extended to consider an exemption you will be
notified and kept informed.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Catherine Spencer
Information Compliance Unit
Democratic Services
PO Box 532
Town Hall
Albert Square
Manchester
M60 2LA

Email: [Manchester City Council request email]
Website: www.manchester.gov.uk

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Nicola Burke To
<request-184970-acda89a5@whatdothe FOI requests at Manchester City Council
yknow.com> <[Manchester City Council request email]>
cc
14/11/2013 16:44
Subject
Freedom of Information request - Should Christmas Markets pay
rates

Dear Manchester City Council,

I am concerned that the Manchester Christmas markets do not appear to be
assessed for business rates purposes putting established pubs and
restaurants at a distinct disadvantage, which must be contrary to EU law in
that this essentially forms a type of state aid.

The markets seems to satisfy the 4 essentials of rateable occupation; there
is actual occupation, it is of benefit, it is exclusive and the occupation
is not too tranisent, indeed this appears to be the 15th successive year.

I would be grateful if could confirm that these marketswill be assessed and
presumably they can be entered from the start of this Revaluation.

Yours faithfully,

Nicola Burke

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Manchester City Council

1 Attachment

Paul Byrne
Business Rates & Overpayments Manager
Revenues Unit  P.O. Box 466 Manchester M16 6AT

Telephone    0161-953-8203
Facsimile      0161-274-7215
Textphone    0161-953-8301
e. mail           [email address]
web site        www.manchester.gov.uk

 

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