Community retail hub launches emergency appeal

Founders Dave Poulton and Kez Hayes-Palmer said the project faced a "serious threat" and called on the community to help it keep going

A community project has launched an emergency fundraiser to help secure its future as it faces a £20,000 business rates bill.

Up The Garden Bath, a community interest company (CIC), opened its shop Unity in Peterborough's Queensgate Shopping Centre in 2023, selling products from independent businesses.

Earlier this year, the organisation was denied charity business rates relief of 40% by Peterborough City Council, which said Unity was "predominantly retail in nature" and did not qualify for it.

Founder Dave Poulton said he "believes in the power of the community", adding that he "will not shut or walk away now after putting in so much effort".

'A lifeline'

Up The Garden Bath has been best known for upcycling old bathtubs and using them as planters in Central Park.

The Unity store sells products on behalf of other small independent firms.

Mr Poulton is now calling on at least 1% of the population to donate £10 each to help secure the future of the retail hub and help manage the business rates bill, which needed to be paid by April.

"We have always believed in the power of community — and now we're asking our community to believe in us", he said.

"We are incredibly proud of the difference we make every day - supporting over 50 local makers at Unity, running sustainability workshops that reach thousands of people, and helping schools, charities, and families learn how to live more sustainably.

"We don't like asking for money. But we are now relying on the city's residents and businesses to get us through this.

"The council has been supportive throughout, and we understand their position, but national legislation has tied their hands."

He previously called for the council to "acknowledge its contribution to regenerate the city centre", adding that the full business rate payments would be "unaffordable".

Co-founder Kez Hayes-Palmer said: "Unity has become a lifeline for so many — a place where local makers, families and volunteers come together to grow, create and belong."

The shop opened in 2023 and has supported more than 50 small independent businesses

CICs are limited companies which operate to benefit the community they serve.

Business rates are a tax on non-domestic properties, including shops, pubs and offices. The fees are collected by local councils.

Earlier, Mohammed Jamil, the Labour deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and corporate governance at the council, said the business did not meet the criteria for mandatory rate relief.

"This is because the business remains predominantly retail in nature and eligibility for charitable rate relief requires that the premises be used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes," said Jamil.