With business rates bills an ongoing concern for pubs, the BBPA is urging publicans to check that they receive the retail business rate relief discounts that were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, last December. Local authorities are responsible for setting up a scheme to administer the retail rate relief. If business rates statements do not show the discount, or there is no information about the discount, then pubs should contact their local authority.
Reductions were announced of up to £1,000 for retail businesses with a rateable value of £50,000 or lower. This will apply in 2014-15 and 2015-16. This is known as ‘retail relief’. Pubs are listed as a retail business eligible for this relief.
The relief is discretionary and the decision on whether or not it should be granted lies with the local authority. However, as the relief is funded by the Government, it is expected that most, if not all, local authorities will apply the relief to pubs.
Flood Support Schemes Guidance Note
With the recent floods, the BBPA is also advising premises in flood-affected areas to take advantage of new support measures introduced by the Government, including a three-month rates ‘holiday’ for those whose trade was hit.
These are set out in the Government’s recently updated ‘Flood Support Schemes Guidance Note’, and include business rates flooding relief, repair and renew grants, and further support for significant loss of trade due to floods. The BBPA has produced a template letter for use in approaching local authorities to apply for these support schemes.