Blackpool business woman calls on '˜tsar' to tackle late payment

The new small business tsar being sought by the Government must put late payments at the top of their agenda, according to a Lancashire business leader.
The Biba's at Blackpool Tower BallroomThe Biba's at Blackpool Tower Ballroom
The Biba's at Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Dawn Cheetham, the owner of Blackpool-based Commercial Kitchen Services (CKS), said that nearly half of the UK’s small businesses experienced late payment issues.

The Government has said the new Small Business Commissioner will act as a champion for small businesses and support them in payment disputes with larger customers.

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CKS is sponsoring the Micro-Business of the Year category at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, which is open for applications until the end of the month.

Mrs Cheetham said: “It is estimated a total of £26.3bn is owed to small businesses in this country and that underlines the huge problem facing these firms, and it has to be addressed.

“Most freelancers or micro-business owners have experienced a late-paying client at some point and there are a significant number of invoices which are paid late in the UK every year.

“What is needed is a clear message sent to persistent offenders that it will not be tolerated and action to back up this threat.”

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The Micro-Business of the Year category is one of 18 prizes up for grabs at the awards which are open for applications until the end of March. Visit thebibas.co.uk for further details and to enter.

In 2016, Longridge-based Country and Commercial Insurance Brokers picked up the Micro Business of the Year prize.

When the deadline closes all entries will be eligibility-checked and whittled down to a shortlist for each category which will be announced on May 2.

The shortlisted firms will face the judging panel in a face-to-face interview, which get under way on May 15.

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The finals will be held at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in September.

CKS was founded in 1977 by Hugh Chatterton and is run by the second generation of the family.

From its Blackpool showroom, it offers a complete service to professional caterers including equipment and utensils across the North West.