SUMMER 2024 ROUND-UP Pavement licensing provisions made permanent ROUND-UP The streamlined process for businesses in England to secure permission to place removable tables and chairs on pavements adjacent to their premises was made permanent on 31 March 2024. It has become much more commonplace for cafes, restaurants and bars to extend their seating capacity onto the pavement for customers who are more willing to sit outdoors, even in cooler temperatures, than they may have been pre-pandemic. This extra seating provides a much-needed additional source of income for businesses and helps protect hospitality jobs which is particularly important during these times of increased living costs. Local councils will specify in the pavement licence how long permission will remain in place, and there is a maximum limit of two years. Existing licences with no end date are extended to two years from the start date. Where a licence is granted, business owners must ensure that clear access routes are maintained on the pavement and the surrounding highway, with consideration given to the needs of all users, including disabled people. Further guidance is available on Gov.uk and from your local council. If youre a legislation aficionado, you can find all the relevant provisions in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and the Business and Planning Act 2020. Credit: Frances Darling, Head of Business and Consumer Protection Image: iStock.com / fotostorm Business rates improvement relief ROUND-UP A new relief from higher business rates has been made available for properties where qualifying improvement works have been carried out. You may be entitled to the relief if you make certain improvements to your business premises on or after 1 April 2024. The relief will be for one year and will start from when you complete the improvements. You must have occupied the property during and after the improvement works, and cannot pass on your improvement relief to anybody else. Eligible work Any improvements you make must: Increase the rateable value of your property; and Be completed on or after 1 April 2024. They must also either: Increase the size of the property; or Add new features or equipment, such as heating, air conditioning or CCTV. Improvements to existing features of the property or equipment do not qualify. You do not need to apply for this relief; the Valuation Office Agency will calculate how much you are entitled to based on your propertys rateable value and the improvements you have made when it is notified about the changes. The scheme will run until 1 April 2029. For more information, visit Gov.uk. Credit: Karen Woolley, Development Manager, Federation of Small Businesses Image: iStock.com / Jirapong Manustrong Single-use plastic banned Businesses in England must not supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items. ROUND-UP The ban came into force in October 2023 and covers single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls and balloon sticks, plus certain types of polystyrene cups and containers for ready-to-consume food. The ban includes: Online and over-the-counter sales and supply Items from new and existing stock All types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled Items wholly or partly made from plastic, including the coating or lining. Businesses should dispose of their existing stocks of single-use plastics and should use reusable alternatives instead. A number of exemptions are in place. Credit: John Harvey, Environmental Health Officer Supercharge your sales! The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is running a Business Bootcamp in Staffordshire, aimed at Supercharging your sales! Learn how to reimagine the way you promote and grow your business and increase your sales pipeline. Join the FSB and partners for a FREE day of workshops and networking, designed to help you upscale your sales. Around 200 small business owners are expected to attend the bootcamp at Keele Hall, on Keele University campus, which will feature workshops with leading local businesses. An expert line-up of sales-generating brains will take you through elements of upscaling your sales, and offer inspiration on everything from transforming your profile and window to the world through to closing the deal. Date: Thursday 27 June 2024 Location: Keele Hall, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG. Timings: Networking breakfast 8-9am, with seminars starting at 9am. You can join for the breakfast and the seminars or just one or the other. Places are limited, so book your place to avoid disappointment. Credit: Karen Woolley, Development Manager, Federation of Small Businesses Anonymous Hotline For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.