Some help with business rates enforcement

anothershopgone

Hi

I have a friend who has asked for some help.

They have owned a shop for a few years but have not had enough money to pay the rates for the last 2 years.

They put their head in the ground hoping it would go away.

Now they have 2 judgements against for £2200 each.

They are unable to pay at the moment, are there any options. The person is worried that they will come and take bit and pieces to cover the costs and the unpaid rates.

They are a sole trader.

Thanks for any help.

warmhands.coldheart

As terrible as it is, and sorry for stating the obvious but, if they do not have enough money to pay the rates and this has been on-going for 2 years I would suggest the business is not sustainable and maybe they should look at a new career path or business.
If they can't afford to pay the rates I'll bet they do not take much of an income from the business either and work a LOT of hours.
I had a friend like this way back where they were a sole trader, worked all the hours god sent and just scraped a living..... We worked out he'd have been better off stacking shelves in ASDA.......
As honourable as it is to try to run and build up your own business, you have to be realistic and know when to pull the plug...