BAILIFFS threatening to seize stock and equipment have been visiting businesses across Hexham to recover outstanding BID levy payments.

Debt collectors from Thoburn’s Enforcement Services, acting on behalf of Northumberland County Council, turned up at a number of premises unannounced last week.

Among those to receive a visit were Lani Noble and David Copado, who run the popular Little Mexico eatery on Market Street.

Despite paying their BID levy in full after being summoned to Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in April, along with a group of traders who took a stand against the project, Lani said the “heavy handed” approach was adopted over £85 court costs.

However, the couple said they received no reminders for the outstanding amount and were shocked to see paperwork now demanding an immediate payment of £395.

“Two guys came in, right on lunchtime, and started saying they would load up the van with the tables and chairs customers were sitting on if they didn’t receive payment,” said Lani.

David added: “They had no ID, and were intimidating.”

The couple reported the matter to police and have lodged a formal complaint with the council over the treatment they received.

But they weren’t the only ones. Over the course of a few days, pubs, garages and engineering firms across the town were also reported to have received visits.

County councillor for Hexham West, Coun. Derek Kennedy, said he was shocked to hear of the manner in which the levy was being enforced.

“In my view this seems very heavy handed. The BID was supposed to bring traders together to promote the town,” he said.

“All I can see is it driving wedges between the business community.”

When questioned on the approach, BID manager Helen Grayshan, said the enforcement process operated in exactly the same way as the system used to deal with non-payment of business rates.

“Its all highly regulated and bailiffs are only calling because a few businesses haven’t paid their bills, after a lengthy process to prompt them to do so.

“Its obviously their decision not to pay their bills, but we’d encourage them to do so promptly, as 95 per cent have done.”

A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said: “The Hexham Business Improvement District is a properly constituted organisation which is operated by the Hexham BID Company and not the council.

“Where a BID is established by the business community the council is then statutorily required to collect the levy on its behalf.

“The council collects the levy, including taking any necessary recovery action, in line with all relevant legislation.

“We would urge businesses to pay their BID levy as soon as it becomes due – in order to avoid unnecessarily incurring substantial court and enforcement costs.”