Yorkshire firms launch prompt payer initiative to support small businesses

Two Yorkshire-based small businesses have announced a commitment to an initiative to ensure suppliers of small businesses, and freelancers are paid promptly.

Halifax-based Mellor Financial Management and Leeds-based PR agency MacComms have launched the prompt payer initiative, committing to making payments to suppliers within seven days.

In 2008, the Government launched the official Prompt Payment Code to promote a culture of prompt payment, committing signatories to pay 95% of invoices within 60 days and work towards 30 days as normal practice. Last month the code was transferred the Small Business Commissioner’s office in line with the Government’s stated ambition to bring all late payment initiatives under a single umbrella.

Acknowledging that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, the launch of the Government’s code has seen the amount owed to smaller businesses in late payment more than halved in the last five years, but the local firms have taken matters into their own hands to support local businesses further.

Martin Mellor, founder and managing director of Mellor Financial Management said:

“The Government claims that the Prompt Payment Code sets the gold standard in payment terms and plays an important role in bringing about a culture change in payment practices but payment within 60 days is still far too long for most small businesses. Which is why with our code we are committing to paying all suppliers within seven days.

“Cash flow is the lifeblood of businesses and whilst everyone is under pressure during the Covid-19 outbreak, we need to do what we can to support small businesses and the local economy.”

Founder and managing director of MacComms, Ellie MacDonald, commented:

“I changed my business model to remote working and utilising freelancers over a year ago so it’s largely business as usual for us. Whilst most people are battening down the hatches and cutting costs, we hope, that by paying people within seven days wherever possible, these suppliers will continue to spend and keep further small and local businesses afloat during the unprecedented times.”

MacComms is a five-year-old multi-award-winning PR agency run by Ellie MacDonald with Martin Mellor as outsourced finance director. Mellor Financial Management, run by Yorkshire Accountancy Awards advisor of the year, Martin Mellor offers finance director and accountancy support and training.