Against Coventry Councils Rates Demands

My name is Anthony Pillage. I am the owner of The Way of the Spiritual warrior in Foleshill Coventry. We are a martial arts group set up to provide a place of martial arts training in an area of Coventry deemed a regeneration zone. We were told before moving into our premises that the rateable value was under £16000 qualifying us for small business relief. Within days of us moving in they arranged an assesor in to re-evaluate this and put this figure up to £21000. The amount of anomolies on their figures is staggering, even to the point of our 3rd floor Pilates studio is deemed to have a higher rateable value than the electrical wholesalers next door groundfloor showroom !. Although we have an appeal in they are taking us to court in March for the figure of £8900.

We have written to them on numerous occasions telling them that we would be forced to close should they not relent leaving people out of work. We have written to the Chief Executive, MP and anyone who could listen. We even put in a hardship claim they told us we were an unsustainable business (although we have been in existance for 11 years.) and they would pursue the money "vigorously"

I have spoken to shopkeeprs in the town centre who have been put out of business due to their unreasonable and unrealistic demands. The town centre is dead with empty and charity shops seemingly more in abundance than independant retailers.

I have never recieved a penny in grants or relief from anyone since the day we opened. In that time we have put Coventry on the martial arts map, bringing world class instructors from all over the world, I have worked with people in Coventry ranging from those with mental health issues to disengaged violent teenages, from the youth offending service to trying to help disenfranchised children off the streets. This was recognised by the very same council in awarding me a Coventry Good Citizen Award 2010. Next Friday I am nominated for the Pride of Coventry Award as a Community and Sporting Hero.

I  am asking you to support and highlight the plight of Coventry businesses like mine and sign this to give us at least a little ammunition against these faceless beurocrats

Yours in hope

Anthony Pillage