The popular Hunter & Sons coffee shop in the centre of Bath has closed suddenly, with the owner blaming increasing business rates as one of the reasons.
Hunter & Sons, which opened in Milsom Place three years ago, was a popular destination for people across the city to experience speciality coffee and craft beer from local suppliers.
James Hunter, owner of Hunter & Sons, announced on Twitter on Wednesday evening that they were closing their doors permanently.
It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that Hunter & Sons is now permanently closed. We’ve had an incredible run over the past three years and achieved so much. We had highlights of being included in the Top 30 Breakfasts in the U.K, one of the best coffee shops in… pic.twitter.com/fHU8F29h3m
— Hunter & Sons (@Hunter_Sons) April 25, 2018
the South West, being voted Baths Best Cafe Food, hosting events alongside some of the UK & Europe’s most acclaimed brewers.
We want to wish all the best to our staff members that have worked so hard to get us where we are. We would also like to bring attention to the amount of https://t.co/x03F0eedLu
— Hunter & Sons (@Hunter_Sons) April 25, 2018
deserted shops in central Bath due to the business rates increase. This has made our business completely unviable and is one of the main reasons for us deciding to leave our space in Milsom Place.
We’ve had an amazing run and we want to thank you all for joining us on our journey https://t.co/8EbVB08a0s— Hunter & Sons (@Hunter_Sons) April 25, 2018
A reported ‘50% increase’ in Hunter & Sons’ business rates has been partly blamed for the sudden closure.
Mr Hunter took the opportunity to thank customers for joining them on their journey, and said they’d had ‘an amazing run’.
Another much loved indie business leaves Bath in part (and unsurprisingly) due to high business rates. You will be missed guys – good luck on your next adventure ?? https://t.co/Ru4PB6Pvvz
— Grace & Ted (@GraceandTed) April 25, 2018
B&NES Council issued a statement following a number of posts of social media directed at them, relating to the closure of Hunter & Sons.
The statement said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council would like to clarify the following facts in relation to inaccurate rumours and assumptions circulating on social media about its support for small businesses.”
The Council provided the following statements in relation to the various social media posts:
- Business rates are set nationally by the Government’s Valuation Office Agency – not the Council.
- The rateable value for Hunter & Sons café in Milsom Place is £46,250 – when this is multiplied by the small business multiplier of 0.48 it gives a bill this year of £22,200 – not £29,000.
- Business rates for the café property have not gone up by 50% – in 2015, they were £17,131; in 2016 they were £17,270; and in 2017 they were £19,299.
- The Council gave Hunter & Sons a Discretionary Revaluation Relief of £772 last year as well as £1,500 in Retail Relief back in 2015.
- The rent for Hunter & Sons’ commercial property in Milsom Place is set and managed by a private landlord – it is not part of the Council’s estate.
- Retail occupancy is at 95% (compared to 88% nationally), there is an active independent sector (64% of properties), and there is a range of international and high street brands (Bath 2018; Carter Jonas).
- Bath has been ranked in the top 3 most resilient retail locations over the last 10 years; according to research on the viability and performance of 250 UK high streets outside central London (UK High Streets: Dead or Alive; Cushman & Wakefield research 2018)
“The Council was surprised to learn of the closure of Hunter & Sons via social media, as no-one from the business had contacted us about any hardship or requesting support regarding their rates.
“We are committed to working with independent business across Bath and North East Somerset. In the city we work with the Bath Independent Business group, chaired by Cllr Peter Turner.
“This provides a co-ordinated voice for business and the range of representative groups across the city, which enables us to consult and listen to their issues and work through solutions to help address them. Examples of outcomes include:
- Direct consultation with Planning Policy, giving them the opportunity to feed into the Local Plan re-fresh and the retail based policies.
- Access to 12 hours of free business support, via Cool Ventures, who have also directly supported the Walcot Street Traders Association. This is focussed on the business direct needs and the support can be a mixture of 1-2-1s and workshops covering anything from HR to online marketing.
“We have also had the first meeting of the Retail Group; chaired by Cllr Paul Myers, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, where we consulted on our retail action plan. This has led to the initial engagement of the Moorland Road Traders, to understand their needs and see how we can support them.
“Outside of the city of Bath, we are working with the Keynsham Business group, led by Keynsham Town Council and linked to the Neighbourhood Plan business survey.
“We will be providing speakers, introductions to current support programmes and information on relevant issues and topics to help local businesses.
“We are also supporting the Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to promote superfast broadband to Somer Valley businesses.”
If you are a local business and are in need of support, the Council is advising you to email [email protected].
We spoke to James Hunter, owner of Hunter & Sons, who explained the reasons behind the closure of the popular coffee shop, and their plans for the future.
Mr Hunter told us that a planned sale of the company fell through in January, and after being unable to find another buyer, the finances of the business caused the sudden decision to close.
He said that he was ‘devastated by the decision’ to close and ‘for now we’re just trying to find our feet and make sure our staff and suppliers are looked after’.
Asked whether the business rates were the main reason for the closure, Mr Hunter told the Echo: “Everything has increased over the past couple of years. Product costs have risen steadily from coffee to the meat we buy. Our suppliers are also at the mercy of their overheads having to increase prices to manage their own businesses health.
“Having our rates go from 17k to 22k pa has had an immense affect on our business. We saw a 50% increase in our rateable value, taking us from £300m2 in 2014 to £400m2 in 2018.
“When you have to live from a business like many small business owners do, it’s almost inconceivable to try and cut 5k from your overheads. We couldn’t survive paying ourselves 5k less a year in Bath.”
James has said they will not be looking to open another coffee shop in the current climate, and when we asked about the staff they employed, he added: “They are all extremely hard working and talented individuals. We wouldn’t have had the success we have had without the support of them.
“All our staff have moved onto others quickly and I’m sure they will be huge assets to them.”
Following the statements above from B&NES Council regarding the support they provide small businesses in the city, Mr Hunter told us: “It could be much better. We do get rate relief from the government but with the increase of rates all over the U.K, I can’t foresee a positive future for independent businesses in central Bath.
“We have approached the council with offers to pay rates gradually rather than in bigger instalments which have been rejected in the past.
“Willingness to accept regular smaller payments would greatly benefit any small business.”