You’ve got your project up and running, you’re developing your business from your headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, and your network is growing as your order book fills up. But just when you think you’ve done the hard part, a whole new set of needs arises. Entrepreneurship also means managing your business on a day-to-day basis. Dealing with administrative formalities, managing unpaid bills, applying for a ZFE exemption, checking that everything is in order to connect to the sewage system, and taking out the rubbish. And when financial difficulties arise, stay the course and move forward, with Clermont Auvergne Métropole at your side.
Driving in the ZFE
Within this zone, unclassified commercial goods vehicles, i.e. the most polluting, are prohibited. Is yours one of them?
You can certainly get financial assistance to buy or lease a low-emission vehicle. And perhaps a temporary exemption, so that you can continue to use your old commercial vehicle until it is replaced.
Water and sewerage: let’s talk about connections
Is this compulsory? Absolutely, because this wastewater may contain pollutants and special substances not found in domestic wastewater.
Depending on the nature of the activities carried out on your premises, this water may be contaminated by chemicals, solvents, detergents, corrosives, industrial grease or food waste. The Trois Rivières wastewater treatment plant is in no way designed for this.
The result: when these unauthorized products are discharged directly into the natural environment, they poison the rivers. What’s more, certain liquid or pasty products (or cocktails of products) can clog pipes, damaging them and endangering the people who work on the sewage system.
Before starting up your business, you need to apply for this authorization.
Clermont Auvergne Métropole will examine your request and, depending on the nature of your waste, you will be authorized to connect to the public sewerage system. Or not.
>> Request authorization to discharge non-domestic wastewater
If you don’t obtain authorization, it’s because your wastewater contains waste that is hazardous to the network, the treatment plant or the natural environment: under no circumstances should it be discharged into the sewer system. They must be collected and disposed of in accordance with the appropriate procedures. Here again, the Métropole can help you with all the necessary steps: scheduling modifications, preparing applications and applying for subsidies.
Professional waste, it’s no big deal!
Are you a service provider, craftsman or shopkeeper? You benefit from the following collection services:
Specific collection services provided by Métropole
- Special cardboard collection
Are your premises located in the city center or in an industrial zone? If you have space to store blue-lidded bins, then you can place your cardboard boxes in them. If, on the other hand, you’re short of storage space, you can place your boxes directly on the ground. In both cases, Métropole will collect them. - Biowaste
Are you in the restaurant business? Or are your business premises located in a residential area? You can certainly recycle your biowaste. All you have to do is ask for a bin with a green water lid for your peelings and meal leftovers. - Your glass
How to dispose of your glass? The glass collection columns installed in public spaces are accessible to professionals. The Métropole also carries out on-site collections; the modalities must be discussed and defined in advance with the collection services.
7 drop-off centers to choose from
For all your other waste, head for the Métropole’s 7 waste collection centers . They are all open to professionals from the communes of Clermont Auvergne Métropole and the communes under agreement (Aydat, Chanonat, Dallet, Lussat, Malintrat, Mezel, Saint-Beauzire, Saint-Saturnin, Saulzet-le-Froid and Sayat).
You are free to go to the drop-off center of your choice, with the following prerequisites:
- For professionals, the amount is set at €40 (excl. VAT) per deposit, with a limit of two deposits ofup to 2.3m3 per day.
- Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are not allowed in the waste collection centers.
- You need a waste collection pass to make even one deposit. And you can request up to 5 passes per company. To apply, click here, and bring your Kbis extract (scan or legible photo). If this is your first request, you will first be asked to create your user account.
Building waste
Do you work in the construction industry? The Métropole does not manage the collection of your construction site waste. But there are a number of collection points close to your worksites, listed here by Oca, an approved coordinating organization.
C’ le chantier! Compensation for businesses
That’s why Clermont Auvergne Métropole has set up a compensation scheme for businesses located on streets undergoing works. A one-stop shop has also been set up to facilitate case management.
Are you a shopkeeper, craftsman or self-employed professional whose premises are located in a street undergoing works? Have you suffered a drop in sales as a direct result of the work in progress? You may be eligible for compensation.
What are the criteria for compensation in the event of work?
Completely independent, the Commission permanente d’indemnisation amiable métropolitaine (CPIAM) examines claims for compensation from retailers. The Commission’s deliberations are based on administrative case law on public works damage. It examines several decisive criteria. You are concerned if :
- your business is located on the street under construction
- you opened your business more than a year before the work began
- your loss of sales is linked to the actual work period
- your loss of sales exceeds 5% of total sales (if you have several activities within the scope of the work, the total sales are taken into account).
- in fact, you had this loss certified by a chartered accountant
- work lasts over a month
- the work is carried out by Métropole, its delegates or SMTC
- your complete file is submitted less than a year after completion of the work
Please note! You cannot be compensated if you are part of a chain, unless it is a franchised business, or if you own other outlets located outside the works.
Mayday, a company in distress
Company, stand up straight
Taking care of the men and women who keep local businesses going means looking after their health. And doing your utmost to prevent these difficulties from threatening the survival of your business and jobs.
That’s why Métropole has set up a scheme in conjunction with the Commercial Court and the Association des Juges et anciens Juges Consulaires du Puy-de-Dôme (AJC63). It is even possible to finance an audit to help your company turn around.
You can’t request this help directly. The best way to find out more and get help is to talk about it.
CONTACT:
Brice Bonaldi, Economic Developer
04 43 76 27 27 / 06 59 38 30 36 – bbonaldi@clermontmetropole.eu
Guiding you: our business
From the very first difficulties, Métropole can help you take stock of your situation and put you in direct contact with the right people. Those who can intercede on your behalf with banks, customers and suppliers.
First and foremost, the Commercial Court is able to advise you and propose solutions adapted to the financial difficulties you are experiencing.
Getting you an appointment with the Commissioner for Restructuring and the Prevention of Business Difficulties: that’s also within the Metropole’s remit. The commissioner’s specialty? Formulating recommendations for obtaining public aid or tax relief.
Clermont Auvergne Métropole also relies on non-profit associations to support you after a business failure. The 60 000 rebonds association, for example, specializes in post-bankruptcy support. Its credo: to help entrepreneurs bounce back! The Second souffle association, for its part, draws on almost 10 years of expertise working alongside small businesses in difficulty. Its aim: to give you fresh inspiration after a hard blow.
CONTACT:
Raphaël Mallecourt, Head of Entrepreneurship
04 43 76 24 96 – rmallecourt@clermontmetropole.eu