Horwich Advertiser Issue 622

Page 10 May 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 BUSINESS TO ADVERTISE CALL 01204 478812 £ LOSTOCK based engi- neering and manufactur- ing firm Beldam Crossley has announced a major £650,000 investment in cut- ting-edge equipment and facility upgrades. The aim is to enhance its production capabilities, meet increasing demand and drive efficiency across operations. The firm, which can trace its history back to 1876, has allocated a significant portion of the investment, £130,000, to the installation of two Kar- dex machines, revolutionising the way materials are stored and accessed. These state-of-the-art auto- mated storage and retrieval systems have improved material handling, enhanced security, and optimised space utilisation, ensuring seamless operations. In addition, £280,000 has been ploughed into in advanced machinery, incorporating the latest programming software. This new equipment deliv- ers greater accuracy, higher tolerance points on parts, and improved consistency. THE government has con- firmed its commitment to reforming the current busi- ness rates system though for many it is not moving forward quickly enough. The chancellor’s spring state- ment announced that an interim report on the future of the system will be published in the summer. However, no details of the proposed changes are set to be announced until the next autumn Budget later this year. For the time being retail, hospi- tality and leisure businesses will be given a 40 per cent relief on their business rates in 2025/26. And the small business tax multiplier for properties with a rateable value below £51,000 will also be frozen for 2025/26. The government has been con- sulting for some time on longer- term measures to support the hard-pressed high street and the hospitality and leisure sectors. And it has pledged over the course of this Parliament to cre- ate “a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, sup- ports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.” The call from businesses is for the government to move faster in introducing its reforms. The Federation of Small Busi- nesses (FSB) policy chair Tina McKenzie said: “The chancellor has rightly kept her word not to further increase business taxes and we urge her to go further in her next full Budget and actually lower the tax burden, including DETAILS of this year’s programme to upgrade the North West’s oldest gas mains – some of which were installed over 100 years ago – have been revealed. Gas distribution company Cadent has confirmed investment of more than £75million to modernise around 385km of its North West pipeline over the next 12 months. This is around the same straight- line distance as Liverpool to Dover, or the length of 3,600 football pitches, or the height of more than 2,400 Black- pool Towers. The work will be delivered by around 600 skilled engineers. Cadent says upgrading the North West network means 2.7 million properties will receive a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come. The work is part of a 30-year pro- gramme, which started in 2002, to upgrade the entire UK gas network. This year 14,603 metres of pipe will be replaced across Bolton borough. Mark Syers, head of work management (North West), who leads the team deliv- ering Cadent’s gas mains upgrade work in the region, said: “These upgrades also mean big environmental gains for the region, as it reduces methane emissions and enables a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. “This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.” THE government has increased the late payment penalties for taxpayers within its ‘Make Tax Digital’ (MTD) regime. The rises, which cover VAT and income tax, came into effect this month, or whenever an indi- vidual or business joins the MTD regime in question. And they come as figures reveal HMRC collected a quar- ter of a billion pounds in late penalties in just two years between 2021 and 2023. The new rates are: • Three per cent of the tax out- standing where tax is overdue by 15 days • An additional three per cent where tax is overdue by 30 days • Plus 10 per cent per annum where tax is overdue by more than 30 days Also from this month, the late payment interest rate charged by HMRC will rise by 1.5 per- centage points. It means most paying at the Bank of England rate plus four per cent. And HMRC has revealed it is looking at the penalty frame- work that applies when a tax- payer makes a mistake in their tax return or other tax document or omits to reveal a circumstance that affects their liability. £650,00 investment looks to drive growth Growing ambitions: Dave Haxton, MD; Gareth Holt, commercial director and Chris Partington, !nancial director Don’t fall foul of late payment penalties The machinery is also more energy-efficient, aligning with the firm’s commitment to sustainability. The business says these “stra- tegic investments” have already had a significant impact and thanks to more manufacturing space now available on the fac- tory floor, customers are bene- fiting from shorter lead times on orders. Sales director Gareth Holt said: “The completion of this investment marks an exciting milestone in Beldam Crossley’s ongoing commitment to innova- tion and customer satisfaction. “By enhancing our produc- tion capabilities, increasing efficiency, and reducing lead times, we are ensuring that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers while setting new standards in preci- sion manufacturing.” ‘Urgent need’ for business rates reform delivering on the promises made by Labour in opposition to trans- form the out-dated business rates system and make it fit for purpose in a modern economy. “Freeing up funds for small firms to invest in their business rather than having money swal- lowed up in high taxes is the best way to achieve growth.” Trade group UK Hospitality says the sector faces an addi- tional £500m in business rates, as a result of relief being lowered from 75 per cent to 40 per cent this month. A spokesperson said: “We are urging the government to urgently bring forward a plan for hospitality businesses that ena- bles the sector to unlock growth and jobs. “This plan would have to set out how the government intends to reduce the costs and red tape that plague the sector. “This should include the Treas- ury ensuring its business rates reform, to be unveiled in the autumn, offers the maximum dis- count for hospitality businesses.” Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis is those backing the reform of the system. The chairman of Ryman Stationery is calling for a level playing field across the retail sector and says the reform has to acknowledge the way people shop has changed. He told the 2025 Retail Tech- nology Show that the current system “will kill the high street on its own at some stage.” Upgrades in the pipeline Making an impression BOLTON based Hand- rail Creations has been shortlisted for theman- ufacturing innovation honour at this year’s Made in the North West Awards. The awards celebrate manufacturing businesses and aim to shed light on the diversely innovative ways manufacturers con- tinue to deliver, and thrive, across the region. Established in 2014, Handrail Creations is based at Burnden Business Park. It has grown from a small family business based to a market-lead- ing, multi award-winner in the field of bespoke timber handrails and balustrades. Previous accolades under its belt include land- ing first place in the 2023 ‘British Woodwork Feder- ation Awards’ for Innova- tion, and the 2023 ‘Made in North West Awards’ for Digital Engineering and Technology. Managing director Kenny Macfarlane said: “We’re very excited and proud to be shortlisted for the 2025 Made in the North West Awards. “At Handrail Creations, we keep quality and cus- tomer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on always finding inno- vative ways to deliver the best experience to our customers. We thor- oughly look forward to attending the North West Manufacturing Awards in Manchester.”