The last few months of 2015 were marked by a strengthened determination on behalf of the Charity, its trustees and supporters to overcome the testing times of the past 18 months at our previous site. Despite the difficulties experienced previously we now look positively at the future and welcome the opportunities our new site offers. Very positive work has been completed on vehicles since our move and community links have strengthened week by week along with press and public support.
We have had to close the door on the difficulties experienced by the charity at its former site, the refusal by site management to uphold associated charity entitled VAT benefits and the refusal to reimburse business rates paid to the site as part of our lease when we were later also found to be liable directly to the local billing authority through absolutely no fault of our own. Indeed after applying for our charitable exemption from an element of the business rates, our approach highlighted the fact that the entire site had knowingly been charged as a sole occupier, not many many independently occupied units and areas of land. Almost a year down the line from choosing to leave the site we are still awaiting recompense for incorrectly levied VAT on a building and land leased knowingly for non commercial, charitable purpose (we even previously carried advertising for the landlords caravan storage on one of our vehicles as a thank you for the low rental levied), along with the redress for business rate payments as part of the lease. We had enjoyed quiet enjoyment of our site since September 1999 with previous management but failings outside the charity relating to business rates developed into an almost farcical situation whereby the charity was initially served with a £21,000 backdated ratings bill. As a result we decided to vacate our premises on 19th June 2015 after serving our statutory three months notice some weeks earlier. We fulfilled our payments for the period of notice despite the fact that the building was not occupied. We attempted to address the issues through raising awareness on our website, only to be served with a take down notice by our landlords management agent. This we now believe was an attempt to prevent the rest of the site being individually assessed for business rates but this was not to be. Now, after much reflection and ample time for redress and communication from the landlords agent, we have had all the relevant paperwork and correspondence checked thoroughly by legal representatives and those elements not under enforceable confidentiality protection by connected parties are available to anyone for viewing, as our activities are entirely transparent. Unfortunately its down to the charity to take necessary civil action to obtain redress. In todays world, the right path is not always the path events take and as such none of the trustees wish to risk running up a legal bill battling a large multinational company. We've all lost enough money over this issue. |
Our 5 year lease was up for renewal on the 30th September and we had no desire to endure 5 more years. Our search for alternative sites led to the Hucknall site, a 1936 period bus depot, which offers fantastic opportunities for the charity.
Following our decision to move we were made aware by other site occupiers who support what we do, that an element of redress for the business rate liability as part of the lease agreement has been forthcoming to them since their own rateable liability commenced in December 2014. Meanwhile we still await our redress - what a way to treat a charity ! We will naturally keep you all informed, if we ever receive word from them. In the mean time we concentrate our efforts on our new site in the hope that these other issues can eventually be put behind us and the charity reimbursed for its financial loss.
Other News
* We wish to thank one of our corporate supporters for inviting us to participate in one of their recent charity days.
* The 31st of May saw our event at Wollaton Park, Nottingham alongside the Austin Seven Club, Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Post newspaper turn out to be a roaring success despite the weather.
* The 1st and 2nd of August saw us return to the Riverside Festival where once again the interest shown by the public was phenomenal. We would like to thank Nottingham City Council for inviting us and giving us a chance to show the public who we are and what we are about
* The 1st of August marked the commencement of our new lease on the former Trent Motor Traction Hucknall depot - and the start of a new era.
* The 12th/13th September played host to our first open doors weekend which proved to be a massive success - more details on the event page.
Following our decision to move we were made aware by other site occupiers who support what we do, that an element of redress for the business rate liability as part of the lease agreement has been forthcoming to them since their own rateable liability commenced in December 2014. Meanwhile we still await our redress - what a way to treat a charity ! We will naturally keep you all informed, if we ever receive word from them. In the mean time we concentrate our efforts on our new site in the hope that these other issues can eventually be put behind us and the charity reimbursed for its financial loss.
Other News
* We wish to thank one of our corporate supporters for inviting us to participate in one of their recent charity days.
* The 31st of May saw our event at Wollaton Park, Nottingham alongside the Austin Seven Club, Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Post newspaper turn out to be a roaring success despite the weather.
* The 1st and 2nd of August saw us return to the Riverside Festival where once again the interest shown by the public was phenomenal. We would like to thank Nottingham City Council for inviting us and giving us a chance to show the public who we are and what we are about
* The 1st of August marked the commencement of our new lease on the former Trent Motor Traction Hucknall depot - and the start of a new era.
* The 12th/13th September played host to our first open doors weekend which proved to be a massive success - more details on the event page.
2014 reportWe provide a full copy of our latest accounts & chairmans report for further insight into our charity work.
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event imagesAlong with our recent open doors days we attend events nationwide. Here are a few highlights.
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fundraisingWe are now fortunate enough to acknowledge the support of Transport Nostalgia, an independent company for help towards achieving fundraising goals.
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