HARLOW Council has secured a major victory in a contested business rates case recovering more than £48,000 in unpaid business rates.

The case was against Harlow Property Trading Limited who are the owners of the former Police traffic garage site on London Road. After issuing a demand notice on the company for £53,557.50 in March 2025, only the first instalment was paid a month later.

The council followed its standard recovery process and applied to the Magistrates’ Court for a Liability Order. The company challenged the application on multiple grounds, leading to a contested hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in December 2025.

On 23 January 2026, the court ruled fully in the council’s favour, granting the Liability Order and ordering the defendant to pay the council’s legal costs of £16,957.47.

The council is now proceeding with recovery of the outstanding debt in line with statutory processes.

Councillor James Leppard, Cabinet Member for Finance, said that this outcome reaffirms the council’s firm and fair approach to recovering public funds. He said:

“We are committed to protecting public money and ensuring that all businesses contribute fairly to the cost of essential services. We take a firm but fair approach, and the court’s decision confirms the integrity and professionalism of the processes our Revenues & Benefits team and Legat teams follow. I congratulate both teams on pursuing this case and achieving a successful outcome.”