The facts behind my Shropshire Council claim

With respect, he decided to publish his views and conclusions without familiarity of the facts. Hopefully, the following will enlighten him.

His letter was highly charged and very critical of my decision to prosecute a claim against Shropshire Council for lost revenue. The claim is based on their negligence. Money is not the motivation here as any award will be donated to charity. Focussing the mind of council management, not frontline staff, and bringing them to task is the purpose so that a repeat performance is not suffered by us all again.

Perhaps If Mr French was here in Shrewsbury, the weekend of 8-9 December, witnessing, or indeed experiencing, the chaos and multiple injuries he would moderate his manner and share the frustration of the vast majority of Shrewsbury residents? Especially those who were severely injured.

Perhaps if he owned a business, and invested in it, took the risks and was responsible to pay staff, and ridiculous investment sapping business rates, he would share the concerns of small business owners throughout Shrewsbury, Shropshire and the country?

Turning to that fateful awful weekend:

The apparent and evident lack of preparation, in treating the roads in the town centre of Shrewsbury, by Shropshire Council prompted me to ask them if we could either be compensated, or excused a month's business rates as we had multiple Christmas party cancellations, due to untreated roads. The answer to both questions was - "no" and "absolutely not."

Mr French proffers a quip by suggesting that the council could not clear the drives of all our customers. How silly and insulting his remark must be to those who were injured.

I wish to point out to Mr French that the centre of Shrewsbury was paralysed by a very well predicted snowfall. For a major town in a developed country in the 21st century the situation that residents were forced to endure was totally unacceptable and, many believe, avoidable. Mr French this is not a subject where levity is at all appropriate.

For several hours fire engines and ambulances could not access the centre of Shrewsbury, as was evidenced when one engine became stuck on Castle Street. this was without doubt a disaster waiting to happen. if there was a fire in a large 100 plus bedroom hotel in the centre of the county town who would have dealt with it? clearly not that Fire Engine stuck on Castle Street. Should Mr French concentrate his energy on that life threatening issue?

Naturally, along with many others we feel Shropshire Council did not do their job yet they still demand payment of extraordinarily high business rates. If you were forced to pay such taxes to Shropshire Council you may be as disappointed, as we are, when they fail.

People, like Mr French, may ask why small businesses, like us, in town centres are so upset. Last year, along with many small businesses, our rateable value for business rates was more than doubled. Ours has been inflated to £76,500. We also have to pay £6,000 a year for private waste collection as, unlike domestic rates, this is not included in the rates bill.

Business rates are payable to Shropshire Council. This is the organisation that by law is obligated to keep the roads clear of snow and treat them for ice. All they had to do was treat the priority routes in and through the town, many of them emergency access routes. If they fail in this basic obligation many believe they should have closed the entire town until they could make it safe and compensate businesses.

When the vast majority of residents of a major town like Shrewsbury are put in danger and suffer from widespread injuries and businesses suffer significant losses, we have a right to be angry about apparent inaction. Combine this with climbing incomes to Shirehall from an increased taxation of small businesses and you can appreciate the anger.

Imagine this anger intensifying when you consider that organisations such a Sports Direct, Amazon and Marks & Spencer have seen their business rates slashed.

And yes Mr French, our insurance does cover for such business losses. At least our experience and my action is getting people taking about what we get and expect from our council and how business rates will change the streetscape for generations to come.

And no Mr French our profits aren't worth talking about, certainly not in the context of implied greed you expressed. You are free to come and take a look at our books. And, unlike your rude comment, I would not suggest where to stick it. In any event, our ledger is a hardback book so it would be a challenge to perform such a task, without medical assistance. I think frontline NHS staff are tied up with more serious issues, such as slip fractures.

I realise that this will not change his option but I do wish Mr French a Happy New Year and I am sure he joins with me in wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured with slip injuries in December.

Mike Avery

Cromwell's, Shrewsbury