Court orders Barrow businesses to pay BID charge after council legal action

Several traders who refused to pay the levy to Barrow's Business Improvement have been made the subject of liability orders by a court.

A number of businesses in the town centre rebelled against the mandatory fee, which is used to fund events and promotions, and is collected by Barrow Council.

Now, three businesses have been told by South Cumbria Magistrates' Court to pay up.

According to court documents, a liability order was granted against the Barrow Arms pub in Cavendish Street for £435.

Dalton Road phone repair shop I Fix has been ordered to pay £400.50.

And Cavendish Street pub The Brewery Inn was told to pay £186. 

Colin Garnett, the Barrow BID manager, said: "The Barrow BID Company Ltd has been set up to deliver schemes, initiatives, promotions and events which will benefit the town centre and businesses located within the BID area.

"Barrow's Business Improvement District is a government initiative voted in by BID area businesses with invoicing and collection of monies administered by the local council.

"Whilst we sympathise with business in these difficult times, it is important that businesses pay their BID levy like they would any council or government bills to avoid additional charges.

"By coming together as a Business Improvement District we give Barrow town centre the best chance to tackle changing retail habits and the transformation of high street shopping which is happening right across the UK."

There are 460 town centre business that are charged the BID levy.

Barrow Council said anyone who does not pay the levy, a percentage of a business's rateable value, can expect enforcement action through a liability order.

More than 100 businesses in Barrow initially failed to pay the latest charge.

It is understood non-payments of the fee logged each year can often include business that no longer exist.

This year town centre businesses voted in the majority to renew the BID for another five-year term.