As Chair of the Business Centre Association (BCA) we are very supportive of their campaign against the unfair Empty Property Rates Tax which is inhibiting economic growth and putting jobs at risk.

BCA members serve more than 40,000 start ups and SMEs in the UK, nurturing entrepreneurs and organisations that are the lifeblood of the British economy.

Flexible space operators have been put under considerable financial pressure since April 2011 when the Government dramatically lowered the empty property rates threshold from £18,000 to £2,600

In 2010 the BCA successfully persuaded Government to raise the threshold for empty property rates to £18,000 in 2010. Now it is urgently lobbying Parliament for a return to that threshold so as not to inhibit new start ups and job opportunities.

We must act fast if we are to achieve changes before the next Budget. We need at least 100,000 signatures to ensure that a debate can be tabled in the House of Commons.

Please sign this petition by clicking on this link https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/318/signature/new and forward it to your colleagues, flexible space providers, clients, suppliers, small businesses and anyone who cares about the vitality of the British economy.

Your support is vital and greatly appreciated.



Best wishes


Harry Platt