Business tax means cities resemble "broken teeth"

News Article - 27 August 2008
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A tax imposed on empty commercial buildings could derail regeneration schemes in cities across the UK, according to a senior governmental advisor.

John Nicholls has warned that owners are demolishing empty buildings in an attempt to control costs and avoid having to pay the tax which was introduced in the last budget, the Guardian reports.

Mr Nicholls said: "This is already having a visual impact – cities are beginning to look like broken teeth."

Before the new measures were brought in, vacant offices and shops were entitled to a 50 per cent rate relief and industrial units could claim full relief.

Under the current legislation all unused property has to pay full business rates after three months for commercial property and six months for industrial premises.

Mr Nicholls chairs a group which represents the urban regeneration companies (URCs).

The URCs are in charge of developing a regeneration strategy for a number of towns and cities throughout the UK.

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