a small business problem

southbourne

I have an ice-cream business on the beach front from the council working from a trailer, as i'm classed as mobile i have to remove it every evening after trading,they say i am not entitled to any grants.I really don't know why that is the case. But my main problem is that i should have payed for the first half of my tender by the 1st April and the council still says that this is still the case even though i can't work on the beach due to the virus and lock down they can't help me as they say that is the the rules,where do i stand? The council now want me to pay thousands  of pounds that i haven't got and can't make a living from  a business that i can't use at the moment,I have payed my taxes but getting no help.The council have now suggested that i pay monthly to help me out. what can i do? can they make me do this? where exactly do i stand? any help would be grateful. 
Thank you  
 

Jeremy535897

You don't qualify for a business grant because you aren't on the rating list. You may qualify for the self employed grant. What the council can charge will depend on your contract. Students are finding they still have to pay for accommodation they don't need and can't even drive to, and I suspect you are in the same unfortunate situation. The council could change the contract if they wanted to though, just as the private landlords could stop asking for the rent. They just don't want to. A council is a public body though, and its duties are to its residents, so perhaps you can shame them into some relief.

Galloglass

You should check the terms of the tender you agreed to. See if there is a break clause in it.

If you were not to pay, then there will be a debt from breach of contract which they may try to collect if you have anything for them to collect. In addition, you may be barred from tendering again for the site licence. If you no longer wish to continue in this trade, then you could argue the council's contract is flawed and you don't owe the money but it may cost you in the end.

See if the council will postpone collection and you can decide when this is over whether it can be paid back or not.

lincroft1710

I would imagine the terms and conditions of the tender are watertight and in favour of the council. If you fail to pay you will no doubt be in breach of contract and the council would probably offer the tender back on to the market.