A BUSINESSMAN is facing a £17,000 bill - despite being closed because of the pandemic since March 2020.


Bosses of Prudhoe Bargains, which had converted to a cafe just months before lockdown, were issued a court summons by Northumberland County Council over unpaid business rates.


But Paul Chapman, who owns the business with his mother Elizabeth Chapman, claims it is 'unfair' and has vowed to seek legal advice.


"We feel disappointed and unsupported," he said.


"We are looking into getting some legal advice as we don’t think this is fair
"We can't afford it and it's going to put us under massive financial strain.

It's unfair because councils are meant to help you, not put you under pressure.

No grants were available for new businesses so we lost everything and this is making things even worse."


The new cafe was forced to close when lockdown was imposed and non-essential shops and hospitality venues were told to close their doors.


Mr Chapman contacted Northumberland County Council when the business received a bill for £5,000 as he believed the bill was incorrectly issued.


He said he had emailed three different council departments six months ago in regards to receiving the outstanding bill.


The council then issued a bill of £17,000 which they said was the correct amount for the business to pay since the cafe fully closed and there was no rate relief for unoccupied businesses.


A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: "The property was originally entitled to 100% retail relief but in July 2021 we were notified by the business that it had closed and the property had been empty from August 2020."


"As a result, entitlement to retail relief ended as the property has to be occupied to receive that relief. The business, although not trading, still hold the lease and are responsible for business rates as a result.


"A bill was issued in July 2021 and a reminder notice sent in August but as no payments were received a summons was issued in December 2021. There is an opportunity for the business to make a payment arrangement, such as paying in instalments, rather than paying the outstanding amount in one go."


Prudhoe County Councillor Gordon Stewart said: "I am aware of difficulties some businesses are having not just in this county but throughout the country due to many factors including this long running pandemic, but also others such as the lack of footfall in traditional shopping areas.


"Prudhoe Bargains was a very popular family run business and is missed. I would encourage any business who are having significant issues to engage with the County Council who have a great team available to offer support and advice on a range of business issues."