Uttoxeter espresso store may shut over excessive charges, proprietor says

Excessive enterprise charges may result in a espresso store closure, its proprietor mentioned.

Joe Ingleton, who has runs Fueled Espresso in Uttoxeter for 4 years, mentioned his enterprise charges had greater than doubled.

“We cost £3.40 for a espresso and I do not assume they realise what number of coffees I’ve to promote to get that coated earlier than I begin with the wage, lease, electrical payments,” he mentioned.

He mentioned he wished extra help from East Staffordshire Borough Council. The council mentioned the federal government in current tax years had set the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) reduction at 75% of the enterprise charges invoice, however the degree of reduction had been diminished to 40%.

He mentioned he beforehand paid £3,243 in enterprise charges costs however his invoice for 2025/26 elevated to £7,784.

“I am unable to stick with it with these excessive [business] charges,” he instructed BBC Radio Stoke.

“Typically I really feel sick, I cant sleep, I simply wish to keep indoors and its not motivational in any respect.

“The council say it is for small companies, that is their probability to face up and say its fallacious.”

Mr Ingleton mentioned he was passionate concerning the neighborhood and his enterprise however discovered the present enterprise charges had been affecting his psychological well being.

A council spokesman mentioned the rise in enterprise charges was on account of authorities offering RHL companies with a reduction on their enterprise charges costs over the previous couple of years.

“In 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years the RHL reduction was set by the federal government at 75% of the enterprise charges invoice,” they mentioned.

“Nevertheless for the 2025/26 tax yr the extent of reduction has been diminished by the federal government to 40%.”