Unprecedented London alliance formed to push for business rates reform to protect the capital

37 London business groups, representing over 16,000 businesses, and London government call for business rates reform

Vauxhall One , The Mayor of London, London Councils, London First, London Chamber join together to oppose proposals on transitional relief

London, 26 October 2016: Vauxhall One has joined London’s largest business organisations, the Mayor and London Councils to form a united and unprecedented opposition to the current system of business rates.

Responding to the Government’s consultation on transitional relief, an alliance including The Mayor of London, London Councils, London First, London Chamber of Commerce and New West End Company, with 37 additional groups including 31 London BIDS, has called for a full review of the effectiveness of the rates system, together with more realistic of the transitional relief proposals and mitigating proposals that will enable London businesses to generate the income needed to meet the rise.

The consultation follows a revaluation of rateable value from which some districts in London will see an increase in excess of 150% – a figure hidden by the Government’s official line of the average hike being 11% across the capital. London businesses are facing the possibility of an estimated £885million annual increase.

The Government’s proposed transitional relief scheme, which would see rises in year one capped at a maximum of 45%, does little to enable businesses to prepare for this significant rise. In the consultation response, the group argues that the risk of such an unexpectedly large tax increase, with just six months’ notice to prepare for it, will be a slowing of investment, job creation and profitability for business at a time when confidence and stability are needed more than ever. Without mitigating measures, the participating groups believe that businesses of all types will find it difficult to survive and grow, having a negative impact on the rest of the country in terms of supply chain, jobs and direct investment.

The group is calling for:

  • A realistic transitional relief proposal to enable businesses to plan properly for the large rate rises;
  • Positive consideration of mitigating policies and projects that will enable London businesses to generate the income needed to meet the rise; and
  • A commitment to a long term review of the effectiveness of business rates as a way of taxing businesses.

Chairman of Vauxhall One, Aseem Sheikh, said: “The proposed business rate revaluation, due to come into force in April 2017, will hit London businesses disproportionately. Central London businesses could face average business rate rises of over 22% although in many areas the increase will be far higher. The main shopping streets in London’s West End, for example, are likely to see an average 80% rise and many growing areas such as Vauxhall will experience increases above the average. In most cases the rise is not as a result of improved business performance but simply a reflection of the lack of supply of retail and commercial space.

These huge increases will therefore be a major new cost on central London businesses.Vauxhall One BID represents 200 businesses.We call upon the government to freeze the proposed business rate revaluation. If this is not possible, then to introduce a transitional relief scheme to limit any annual rise to no more than 12.5%.”

Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: “Our businesses are fundamental to the capital’s thriving economy, but with the uncertainty being created by Brexit, the last thing they need now is a hike in business rates on the scale the Government is proposing from next April. It is unacceptable that thousands of firms in the capital are in effect facing 50 per cent increases in their business rates bills with barely six months’ notice.

It is clear that we need far stronger transitional arrangements to soften the immediate impact and give businesses in the capital chance to plan ahead. We also need greater devolution over London’s business rates including local control over future revaluations, so we can invest more in supporting jobs and growth in London, which in turn stimulates the UK economy as a whole.”

Unprecedented London alliance formed to push for business rates reform to protect the capital

37 London business groups, representing over 16,000 businesses, and London government call for business rates reform

Vauxhall One , The Mayor of London, London Councils, London First, London Chamber join together to oppose proposals on transitional relief

London, 26 October 2016: Vauxhall One has joined London’s largest business organisations, the Mayor and London Councils to form a united and unprecedented opposition to the current system of business rates.

Responding to the Government’s consultation on transitional relief, an alliance including The Mayor of London, London Councils, London First, London Chamber of Commerce and New West End Company, with 37 additional groups including 31 London BIDS, has called for a full review of the effectiveness of the rates system, together with more realistic of the transitional relief proposals and mitigating proposals that will enable London businesses to generate the income needed to meet the rise.

The consultation follows a revaluation of rateable value from which some districts in London will see an increase in excess of 150% – a figure hidden by the Government’s official line of the average hike being 11% across the capital. London businesses are facing the possibility of an estimated £885million annual increase.

The Government’s proposed transitional relief scheme, which would see rises in year one capped at a maximum of 45%, does little to enable businesses to prepare for this significant rise. In the consultation response, the group argues that the risk of such an unexpectedly large tax increase, with just six months’ notice to prepare for it, will be a slowing of investment, job creation and profitability for business at a time when confidence and stability are needed more than ever. Without mitigating measures, the participating groups believe that businesses of all types will find it difficult to survive and grow, having a negative impact on the rest of the country in terms of supply chain, jobs and direct investment.

The group is calling for:

  • A realistic transitional relief proposal to enable businesses to plan properly for the large rate rises;
  • Positive consideration of mitigating policies and projects that will enable London businesses to generate the income needed to meet the rise; and
  • A commitment to a long term review of the effectiveness of business rates as a way of taxing businesses.

Chairman of Vauxhall One, Aseem Sheikh, said: “The proposed business rate revaluation, due to come into force in April 2017, will hit London businesses disproportionately. Central London businesses could face average business rate rises of over 22% although in many areas the increase will be far higher. The main shopping streets in London’s West End, for example, are likely to see an average 80% rise and many growing areas such as Vauxhall will experience increases above the average. In most cases the rise is not as a result of improved business performance but simply a reflection of the lack of supply of retail and commercial space.

These huge increases will therefore be a major new cost on central London businesses.Vauxhall One BID represents 200 businesses.We call upon the government to freeze the proposed business rate revaluation. If this is not possible, then to introduce a transitional relief scheme to limit any annual rise to no more than 12.5%.”

Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: “Our businesses are fundamental to the capital’s thriving economy, but with the uncertainty being created by Brexit, the last thing they need now is a hike in business rates on the scale the Government is proposing from next April. It is unacceptable that thousands of firms in the capital are in effect facing 50 per cent increases in their business rates bills with barely six months’ notice.

It is clear that we need far stronger transitional arrangements to soften the immediate impact and give businesses in the capital chance to plan ahead. We also need greater devolution over London’s business rates including local control over future revaluations, so we can invest more in supporting jobs and growth in London, which in turn stimulates the UK economy as a whole.”

Sainsbury’s Nine Elms Point joins forces with local fire service to help customers stay safe this firework season.

A local fire service visited Sainsbury’s Nine Elms Point to give safety advice last weekend.

Crew members from Lambeth Red Watch – London Fire Brigade made a special visit to the supermarket to provide hints and tips to help Wandsowrth & Lambeth customers stay safe during the firework season.

The fire-fighting team were at the store on Saturday 22nd October 2016 and spent the day speaking to customers and handing out useful leaflets with information for shoppers.

Store Manager, Andy Robins, said: “As a store which sells fireworks, it’s really important that we act as a responsible retailer and make sure that our customers understand how to use fireworks safely. That’s why we were delighted to invite Lambeth Red Watch to the store at the weekend and we hope all of our customers took away some great advice on the day”.

Some top tips this firework season include:

  • Keep fireworks in a closed tin or box
  • Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper or fireworks lighter
  • Never go back to a lit firework
  • Never throw a firework
  • Light sparklers one at a time and never give sparklers to children under the age of 5
  • Dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they’ve finished

Sainsbury’s have two great fireworks offers in store this year: Customers can buy two and save on selected lines. Meanwhile, if you spend £20 or more on fireworks, you will receive a free pyro pack worth £30.

Step-free access at Vauxhall station

Vauxhall is the latest London Underground station to have step-free access.

There are now 70 stations with step-free access across the whole network.

Two new lifts have been constructed at the station, serving both Victoria line platforms.

Vauxhall bus station is the second busiest in London, so step-free access here means customers can interchange from buses on to the Tube, opening up many more journeys across the Capital for those who need level access.

Newport Street Gallery wins RIBA Stirling Prize

Caruso St John’s Newport Street Gallery wins 2016 RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year.

Newport Street Gallery has won the coveted 2016 RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building. Now in its 21st year, the RIBA Stirling Prize sponsored by Almacantar, is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize.

This is the first time Caruso St John architects have won the RIBA Stirling Prize; they were shortlisted for the award for Brick House, west London in 2006 and New Art Gallery Walsall in 2000.

Newport Street Gallery involved the conversion and transformation of a street facing a railway line in Vauxhall, south London, into a free public gallery for artist Damien Hirst’s private art collection. Three listed Victorian industrial buildings, formerly carpentry and scenery painting workshops for West End theatres, have been remodelled and flanked at either end by entirely new buildings; one with a striking, spiky saw-tooth roof.

The new additions have a specially-created hard pale red brick finish to closely reference the original buildings, while a huge LED panel on the railway facade encourages passing train commuters to visit. The ground and upper floors within the interconnected five buildings are continuous, with new spiral staircases on their side, to create flexible spaces able to accommodate everything from individual works to larger shows.

Comments from the judges:

‘This highly accomplished and expertly detailed art gallery is a bold and confident contribution to the best of UK architecture. Caruso St John’s approach to conservation is irreverent yet sensitive and achieves a clever solution that expresses a poetic juxtaposition of old and new.

‘The collection of buildings is beautifully curated, pulled together by the use of brick yet still expressive of their individuality. The playful use of LED technology gives a contemporary addition to the facade.

‘Internally, the five buildings are connected as a continuous and coherent sequence of light filled gallery spaces. The simple and logical circulation is enlivened by exquisitely detailed and sensuous staircases.

‘The gallery, which is free of charge, is a generous asset to an evolving community.’

Speaking tonight, RIBA President Jane Duncan said:

‘With Newport Street Gallery, Damien Hirst has made an exceptional contribution to the UK’s strong history of private patronage of architecture. Not only has Damien opened up his enviable private art collection to the world, but he has commissioned a real work of art to house it in.

‘Caruso St John have created a stunningly versatile space from a number of linked buildings, with beautifully crafted staircases and superb details including tactile brick facades that blend the street externally and create a succession of wonderful gallery spaces.

‘This project exemplifies the best of UK architecture – a highly considered and creative project that brings to life a previously-unloved pocket of the city. I am delighted to present architects Caruso St John with the 2016 RIBA Stirling Prize.’

Peter St John, Partner, Caruso St John Architects said:

‘It’s rare for architects to be given the opportunity to realise a personal vision of the quality of the Newport Street Gallery, and for that vision to have a generous public dimension. We see the building as a palace for direct, intimate and luxurious encounters with contemporary art, and we are very pleased that this award will bring more people to see this extraordinary collection.’.

Read more about the Newport Street Gallery.

Sainsbury’s Nine Elms Point joins forces with local fire service to help customers stay safe this firework season.

A local fire service is visiting Sainsbury’s Nine Elms Point to give safety advice at the weekend.

Crew members from Lambeth Red Watch – London Fire Brigade will be making a special visit to the supermarket to provide hints and tips to help Lambeth and Wandsworth customers stay safe during the firework season.

The fire-fighting team will be at the store on Saturday 22nd October 2016 from 11:00am for a few hours. They will be based in the store’s Foyer area on the day and will be handing out useful leaflets with information that customers can take away with them.

Store Manager, Andy Robins, said: “As a store which sells fireworks, it’s really important that we act as a responsible retailer and make sure that our customers can take away some safety tips when using fireworks. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Lambeth Red Watch – London Fire Brigade this firework season and we hope our customers will take away some great advice when the fire-crew visit the store”.

Some top tips this firework season include:

  • Keep fireworks in a closed tin or box
  • Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper or fireworks lighter
  • Never go back to a lit firework
  • Never throw a firework
  • Light sparklers one at a time and never give sparklers to children under the age of 5
  • Dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they’ve finished

Sainsbury’s have two great fireworks offers in store this year: Customers can buy two and save on selected lines. Meanwhile, if you spend £20 or more on fireworks, you will receive a free pyro pack worth £30.