Trouva shops to get help with business rates reductions

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 14, 2019

Trouva, the online marketplace, has secured a partnership with retail real estate advisors Harper Dennis Hobbs to help its community of 500 high street shops find a way to reduce their business rates bill.

The partnership will see Harper Dennis Hobbs offer a range of property services to Trouva’s network of independent boutiques, including bespoke business rates investigation and appeal services, on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

Additionally, Trouva shop owners will get access to assistance with rent reviews, lease renewals and negotiations, and expert advice in sourcing and acquiring new stores.

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“There has never been more uncertainty around the future of our high streets, and at Trouva we’ve long been campaigning for a reduction in business rates so that independent shops don’t continually get punished by this archaic tax. Last April saw business rates rise yet again, meaning 1 million small businesses saw an unaffordable 3% increase in their rates,” explained Mandeep Singh, co-founder and CEO at Trouva.

“Although independents are starting to get help of sorts from the government via the Future High Street Fund, as a global platform for independent shopping, we see it as our responsibility to also make a practical difference to our community of boutiques which makes HDH a natural choice for our next strategic partnership. Independent stores don’t typically have the resource or budget to access tailored services from these real-estate experts."

“HDH’s partnership with Trouva will provide a much-needed boost to independent retailers,” added David Purslow, executive director at Harper Dennis Hobbs.