A Solihull cat cafe owner has delivered an emotional plea to local leaders after being forced to sack herself as her only employee due to escalating National Insurance costs and business rate pressures.
Desperate Plea at Council Meeting
Emma Seville, owner of A Slice of Purrfection cat cafe on Poplar Road, spoke at this week's full meeting of Solihull Council, revealing how spiralling costs have pushed her business to breaking point. The independent cafe, which has operated in Solihull since 2022, has become an important community hub but now faces an uncertain future.
'Nothing Left to Cut'
"We are doing everything possible to keep offering our service but there really isn't anything else I can cut back on," Emma told councillors. "I have even had to sack myself as the only employee of the business as I cannot afford to pay the national insurance contributions on my own salary. We are running on the goodwill of our volunteers."
The business owner highlighted how her rates will increase by over 30 percent to almost £700 per month, describing the situation as "absolutely devastating" for a small independent business. She grew up in Solihull during the 1980s and expressed concern about the current state of the town's high street, noting numerous empty shops.
Council Takes Action
Following Emma's plea, councillors agreed a motion instructing council leader Karen Grinsell to write to Chancellor Rachel Reeves requesting urgent support for small businesses facing rates changes this spring. The motion specifically calls for:
- Retention of the 75 percent business rate relief
- Extension of proposed discount multipliers to all retail and hospitality businesses
- Review of business rates revaluation methodology
- Commitment to scrap business rates for small retailers
Cross-Party Concern
Councillor Bob Sleigh, who proposed the motion, described the situation as a "perfect storm" for businesses. "This motion is a plea for whole swathes of the business community who have been offered no relief whatsoever," he stated. "The motion asks the government to think again and extend relief to all the sectors who serve our high streets."
Green Party leader Councillor Max McLoughlin acknowledged the need to support businesses while highlighting broader economic challenges: "People don't have money to spend. I appreciate we need to be supporting businesses – the best support we can give to businesses is addressing the issues of people not having disposable income."
Reform group leader Councillor Michael Gough added: "Small businesses have suffered for far too long. They are continually being squeezed by large corporations. We do need to do whatever we can to support businesses."
Broader Business Rates Context
Business rates represent a tax based on estimates of commercial property rental values. While local councils collect these rates, they do not set them – the Valuation Office Agency determines rateable values, and central government establishes annual multipliers.
Many businesses face a double challenge from April: increased rateable values alongside the reduction of Covid-era business rates relief from 75 percent to 40 percent. The motion passed with majority support, though Green Party and Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from the vote.
Emma concluded her address with a direct appeal to councillors: "I do urge you to do something." Her case highlights the growing pressures facing small independent businesses across the region as they navigate rising operational costs and changing government support measures.
