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Uttoxeter coffee shop could shut over high rates, owner says Uttoxeter coffee shop could shut over high rates, owner says
(about 20 hours later)
Joe Ingleton is the owner of Fueled Coffee in UttoxeterJoe Ingleton is the owner of Fueled Coffee in Uttoxeter
High business rates could lead to a coffee shop closure, its owner said.High business rates could lead to a coffee shop closure, its owner said.
Joe Ingleton, who has runs Fueled Coffee in Uttoxeter for four years, said his business rates had more than doubled. Joe Ingleton, who has run Fueled Coffee in Uttoxeter for four years, said his business rates had more than doubled.
"We charge £3.40 for a coffee and I don't think they realise how many coffees I have to sell to get that covered before I start with the wage, rent, electric bills," he said."We charge £3.40 for a coffee and I don't think they realise how many coffees I have to sell to get that covered before I start with the wage, rent, electric bills," he said.
He said he wanted more support from East Staffordshire Borough Council. The council said the government in recent tax years had set the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief at 75% of the business rates bill, but the level of relief had been reduced to 40%.He said he wanted more support from East Staffordshire Borough Council. The council said the government in recent tax years had set the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief at 75% of the business rates bill, but the level of relief had been reduced to 40%.
Fueled has been trading in Carters Square, Uttoxeter, since 2021Fueled has been trading in Carters Square, Uttoxeter, since 2021
He said he previously paid £3,243 in business rates charges but his bill for 2025/26 increased to £7,784.He said he previously paid £3,243 in business rates charges but his bill for 2025/26 increased to £7,784.
"I can't carry on with these high [business] rates," he told BBC Radio Stoke."I can't carry on with these high [business] rates," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"Sometimes I feel sick, I cant sleep, I just want to stay indoors and its not motivational at all."Sometimes I feel sick, I cant sleep, I just want to stay indoors and its not motivational at all.
"The council say it's for small businesses, this is their chance to stand up and say its wrong.""The council say it's for small businesses, this is their chance to stand up and say its wrong."
Mr Ingleton said he was passionate about the community and his business but found the current business rates were affecting his mental health.Mr Ingleton said he was passionate about the community and his business but found the current business rates were affecting his mental health.
A council spokesman said the increase in business rates was due to government providing RHL businesses with a relief on their business rates charges over the last few years.A council spokesman said the increase in business rates was due to government providing RHL businesses with a relief on their business rates charges over the last few years.
"In 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years the RHL relief was set by the government at 75% of the business rates bill," they said."In 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years the RHL relief was set by the government at 75% of the business rates bill," they said.
"However for the 2025/26 tax year the level of relief has been reduced by the government to 40%.""However for the 2025/26 tax year the level of relief has been reduced by the government to 40%."
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.