28 May 2020
“All pain, no gain.”
This was Green Party Councillor David van Der Burg’s reaction to the disclosure that Amazon has yet to pay a single penny in business rates on its controversial Haydock premises.
The multi-national conglomerate, whose profits last year exceeded $14billion, owes St Helens Council almost half a million pounds in business rates for the year 2019/20 and has been billed a further £803,840 for 20/21. The first instalment was due on 14 March – more than two months ago.
Councillor van der Burg says: “I’d like to thank Haydock residents for bringing this scandalous state of affairs to my attention. For them it’s been a case of all pain, no gain. Their countryside has disappeared under concrete and monstrous warehouses, the traffic is horrendous, goods lorries spill over into side streets, air pollution is increasing – and for what?
“St Helens Council promised us riches and thousands of jobs when they drove through planning permission in the face of local opposition. The jobs haven’t materialised – and neither has the money.”
Earlier this year Amazon admitted to paying UK business rates of only £63million – almost £40million less than Next, despite enjoying double the sales of the clothing and home furnishings retailer.
Council van der Burg adds: “In any given year around 10,000 householders locally will receive court summonses in respect of council tax arrears. Amazon, one of the richest companies on the planet, hasn’t even had a reminder.”
Amazon’s 30,000 square metre ‘sortation centre’ opened last September and is one of two giant distribution and industrial warehouses built on Green Belt land north of Florida Farm, Haydock.
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