Summary
Jadhav contrasts the commercial approach of private developers like Allied London with what she characterises as the uncommercial decision-making of government bodies such as Salford City Council. She highlights structural inequalities: Amazon paid £61.7m corporation tax over 20 years whilst Marks & Spencer paid more in a single year, yet independent venues face mounting business rates, rent, PAYE and VAT with no corresponding support.
Since Menagerie opened in 2016, the venue has faced sustained operational challenges including an empty building during year one despite promises of 800 occupants, unexpected road closures, parking removal, cladding failures requiring six months of facade replacement work, and a failed cellar cooling system. These obstacles have forced repeated business model changes and incurred thousands in legal fees pursuing rent reductions.
Despite strong financial growth and established brand identity, Jadhav argues the business would have performed significantly better without these challenges. Her business rates remain based on assumed benefits from nearby Spinningfields location rather than actual trading conditions, and appeals have been unsuccessful. She contends that independent businesses like hers are the economy's backbone but face structural disadvantages when operating in developments managed by government bodies rather than commercial entities.
Read the full story at Manchester Evening News
This is a summary written for the Manchester Business Services register. The full article belongs to Manchester Evening News — read it at source.
Common questions
- What is this article about?
- Karina Jadhav, owner of Menagerie in Salford's New Bailey development, argues that unrealistic pressures from government bodies and poor commercial decision-making pose greater threats to independent retailers and hospitality than macro factors like Brexit. Her business has endured prolonged construction disruption, building defects, and business rates assessed on outdated assumptions since openin
- When was this published?
- This article was published on 7 June 2019.
- Who published this article?
- This article was published by Manchester Evening News.