The City Council has launched its 2017-2019 Oxford Business Guide, which showcases the city’s economic strengths, growth opportunities, and range of services designed to support business.

Produced in partnership with Burrows Communication, the guide is in hard copy and also in interactive digital format, and supports business with local regulatory functions, through to business networks and advice.

The accompanying ‘It’s Local’ Oxford online service provides an interactive listing of local businesses and organisations that provide services to business and consumers right across the city. All businesses are encouraged to sign up to ‘It’s Local Oxford, and add their free company profile.

The Oxford Business Guide e-book can be accessed here: www.itslocaloxford.co.uk/oxford/desktop/flip/index.html

‘It’s Local’ Oxford: www.itslocaloxford.co.uk

Sometimes questions in Council produce some interesting answers. Last time, one yielded these figure, showing what relief has been made available to small businesses and shops.

Local relief

The total amount of rate relief given by the Council over the current and producing 3 years to include mandatory charitable relief, discretionary charity relief, and small business rate relief is:

• 2014/15 – £21, 308, 017
• 2013/14 – £20, 397, 141
• 2012/13 – £21, 121, 368
• 2011/12 – £18, 035, 323

National relief

Retail Rate Relief is a new relief. The Coalition Government announced in the Autumn statement that it would provide relief of up to £1,000 to all occupied retail properties with a rateable value of £50, 000 or less in each of the years 2014/15 and 2015/16. This includes small businesses.

 

This relief has been awarded to 946 businesses to date with a total relief awarded of £901, 268. 40. The cost is fully reimbursed by central Government