BHS liquidator FRP Advisory has waded into the ongoing business rates debate by seeking a refund for part of a multimillion-pound bill incurred by the collapsed department store chain.
According to an update to creditors obtained by Sky News, FRP has hired an agent – said to be Hilco Profit Recovery – to “review the business rates paid by the company and to ascertain whether there are refunds available”.
The annual business rates bill for BHS is believed to have been several million pounds, although it is acknowledged that only a fraction of that sum is likely to be recovered.
The FRP report said: “The joint liquidators will continue to co-operate with the appointed agent and local authorities in order to receive any refunds due.”
BHS traded from 164 stores until its collapse last April, a year after Arcadia tycoon Sir Philip Green sold the chain to Dominic Chappell for a nominal £1.
A number of retailers have expressed outrage about the impending changes to business rates following the Government’s changes to rateable valuations.
Yesterday, Chancellor Philip Hammond claimed to be listening to their concerns and hinted that there may be concessions in next month’s budget.
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