Running a retail shop from garage AIBU to complain

[LikeothersIamjustme]

Neighbour on road has just set up a shop from their garage selling house decor, furniture etc. There is a sandwich board advertising on the footpath. Advertising on FB as retail, come and visit etc. There is no parking for visitors other than the road/footpath. No PP for change of use. Open 7 days a week. I think they should have permission and pay businesss rates. Thoughts please!!

I think that if it becomes busy enough to be a nuisance then consider reporting, but not when just starting up.

Meant to add. They did previously have retail premises so not a new business start up.

Should have po for change of use, business rates for that part of the priority and it may invalidate their house insurance.

Tell the council.

Don't be a grass for the sake of it. Wait until they actually cause a problem.

I'd say mind your own business. Get a hobby!

I differ from pp and absolutely would get in touch with your local authority to see if approvals are in place. Great that your neighbour is using their initiative but it's not fair on legitimate business owners who have to stump up to trade out of suitable premises.

@Hayyancairo2

I'd say mind your own business. Get a hobby!

I have plenty of hobbies. I also pay business rates of circa £1k pm on my business premises.

@Hayyancairo2

I'd say mind your own business. Get a hobby!

I also have plenty of hobbies. I also do pay business rates on my business premises.

Rules are there for the benefit of everybody.

Doris and Manolin, I agree. I cant see there being a shortage of retail premises at the moment and those who are abiding by the rules struggle to compete with those who dont. If it was a start up I would have more sympathy but it is an established (5 years plus) business that has now presumably decided to cut costs and rules dont apply to them.

How do you know they haven't already got permission? Or are you just presuming?

Are they in the same line of business as you, OP?

When my neighbour wanted to convert her garage into a small business premises, she had to get her neighbours (me and DH) to say we didn't object in writing before she was allowed change of use.

Get a life and get out of others business.

I’d report it.
Their buildings insurance is unlikely to cover this.
Should a visitor have an accident, there’s likely no cover.
They should be paying rates .

Would all the people telling the OP to get a life be happy if one of their own neighbours started to do this and they couldn't use the footpath and park outside their own house due to customers?

no sorry not on-what about insurance-why does everyone else have to play by the rules but not them

i get its tough right now but what about when it starts getting busy and the shoppers are blocking the street

Report it, this has the potential to become a big nuisance, I agree with BarbaraofSeville.

Quaagars There has been no planning application so safe to assume no permission.
ChicCroissant Nope, different sector entirely.

If there is an actual problem happening yes otherwise no

It should be reported. The lack of insurance could be a real problem if, heaven forbid, there was a flood or fire.

Not sure why people are telling you to mind your own business. If people want too set up a shop, they need to do it properly and pay business rates like everyone else!

I think I would report this

Ordinarily I’d say to report but with the hit businesses are taking just now with Covid...

All the people saying “mind your own business” I’m sure you’d all be super cool when your next door neighbours don’t bother abiding by planning permission rules when they get work done or you’d be happy with your local shop deciding not to pay their taxes as long as it doesn’t impact you. If you run a business, you need to do it in a legally abiding way.

The planning laws are there for a reason. Report.

Wow. Some seriously harsh responses here. What's with all the "don't be a grass" responses which are appearing regularly on threads. Bizarre.

Of course the OP should get in touch with the council. This is potentially tax evasion (and therefore a criminal offence) and could be a big nuisance in a residential area. We have planning laws for a reason.