Mobile Traders operating from a site

GODDAA03

My partner is a mobile ice cream trader and has a site in a car park provided by a local authority. My partner tendered for this and was the winning bidder and pays an agreed amount in four instalments over the course of the year. The authority has closed the car park due to COVID 19 which is completely understandable. However they are still requesting payment for the site even though my partner is unable to trade. My partner is not entitled to business rates relief grant as car parks are not included. My partner has asked for the billing to be temporarily stopped and the bills recalculated when restrictions are eased and to remove the weeks/months that are lost through being unable to trade. They have offered a deferment and an extension to the contract. We are appreciative of this but being unable to trade makes this a financial burden when We can’t receive help from the government in form of a grant, nor anything to assist with costs other than a loan which is unwanted debt. What can we do? Should we still be expected to pay when we are prevented from trading in peak season and unlikely to ever recover this cost?

whizzywoo

Have your partner looked into the SEIIS ?  It is a grant and not a loan.
He may qualify for a grant.  The information is here;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme

GODDAA03

Hi, yes we’ve looked into this but it doesn’t cover cost’s only profit.