Speaking on Time 107.5 yesterday, Damian White also said Things Made Public was making “a big hoo-ha” after being told they would not be given discretionary rates relief.
The council leader suggested Things Made Public would use the relief to “subsidise coffees and cake”; something the company denied.
Things Made Public is a non-profit organisation which uses the venue as a “business incubation hub” to help start-ups.
But The Retailery, a venue leased by the council and run by Made Public on its behalf, has been unable to break even.
Councillor White pointed out it has had the building rent and rate-free for two years and claimed the council doesn’t “have a bottomless pit of funds” to help them.
He added that the council has to make nearly £38 million of savings this year and almost £15m next year.
“There are businesses around the borough that would want to have discretionary business rate relief.
“Just because they want it doesn’t mean they are entitled to it or that the council can afford to give it to them,” he said.
However, Things Made Public CIC has said it is a “not-for-profit” venture rather a commercial business and needs to stay that way. The company argues being not-for-profit has allowed it to create opportunities for all local people, regardless of their income or circumstance.
Things Made Public applied for discretionary rate relief to help pay the business rate bill but claims it does not need support paying rent or other day-to-day costs.
Havering Council is receiving £1,696,000 from the government’s Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme between 2017-2021 but Cllr White suggested any money spent on assisting The Retailery would have to come from another service, such as social care.
White also claimed the council has received interest from other groups who say they can “run The Retailery at a profit” and then reinvest the money into the services provided.
Cllr White said it would be “difficult” for the council to offer discretionary business rate relief to organisations that are not registered charities, despite the council’s policy stating it is open to all voluntary and community groups who pay non-domestic rates on property in Havering.
Things Made Public and Cllr White have both expressed a desire to meet and discuss the issue further.
A petition supporting The Retailery has received more than 3,500 signatures in less than a week. You can see it here: www.change.org/p/havering-council-save-the-retailery-romford
The Retailery recently won “best after work venue” at the Havering Nightlife Awards and puts on regular cultural events alongside helping local businesses.
You can listen back to Cllr White’s interview on Time 107.5 here (about two hours in) and Things Made Public’s full response is available below.
Tags: Romford, Havering
