Many businesses in the Colmore Business District were forced to adapt or shut down entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, despite holding business interruption insurance (BII) policies, most found themselves facing flat-out rejections from their insurers when trying to claim for losses.

RLK Solicitors, based right here in Colmore BID, are one of the UK’s leading firms in Business Interruption Insurance claims—and they want local businesses to know there’s still time to take action.

What is Business Interruption Insurance and Why Does It Matter Now?

BII is often a standard add-on to a broader business insurance policy, covering disruption due to unforeseen events. Most business owners may not even realise they have it, or that they had a valid claim when the pandemic hit.

Following a wave of blanket denials from insurers during the lockdown period, RLK Solicitors stepped in. With years of experience in commercial litigation and a deep understanding of BII complexities, they’ve been fighting—and winning—for businesses across the country.

Their estimates, based on Financial Conduct Authority data, suggest that fewer than 10% of eligible UK businesses have successfully claimed on their BII. This means hundreds of thousands of potential claims remain unclaimed—with the legal deadline fast approaching in March 2026.

Monty’s Deli: A Success Story from Colmore BID

One of the businesses RLK Solicitors supported is Monty’s Deli, a much-loved hospitality venue in the district. Here’s what Aggie Pelekanou, owner of Monty’s, had to say:

“Like many hospitality businesses, we were hit hard by the pandemic and forced to close our doors during the lockdowns. We thought our business interruption insurance would offer some support—but our insurer denied our claim outright. Frustrated and unsure of what to do next, we reached out to RLK Solicitors. From the very beginning, they were clear, professional, and proactive. They reviewed our policy in detail, challenged the insurer’s decision, and ultimately secured a successful payout for the losses we suffered during that difficult period. We’d recommend that other businesses in the Colmore BID area speak to them to check where they stand.”

What Support is Available?

RLK Solicitors are offering a no-win, no-fee service to identify and pursue valid BII claims for Colmore BID businesses. Here’s what they offer:

• Free policy review – They’ll confirm whether you have a valid case.
• No-win, no-fee representation – You only pay if your claim is successful.
• Expert legal support – Their commercial litigation team brings deep experience and proven success, including a landmark 2024 win on behalf of over 300 Personal Care businesses.

If your business was active in March 2020 and is still legally in existence (even if it’s moved or changed operations), you could be eligible.

Don’t Wait—March 2026 Is the Final Deadline

Hundreds of Colmore BID businesses could still be entitled to significant compensation. Don’t leave money on the table.

To find out if your business has a valid claim, contact Chris Guy, Director and Head of Insurance Litigation, at cguy@rlksolicitors.com.