Rural rate relief

Village post offices & stores and rural rate relief.

Shops in rural areas with a population of less than 3,000 can apply for rural rate relief.

This includes:

• A village post office/general store or food shop with a rateable value of £7,000 or less.
• Other businesses can apply for discretionary relief, as long as the rateable value was not more than £14,000.
• Sole public houses and petrol stations with a rateable value of not more than £10,500.

These type of shops can apply for relief for the whole cost of their rates. This is made up of 50% mandatory relief and 50% discretionary which is granted by the Council.

Any application is considered carefully by the Council, taking into account the businesses benefit to the local community and if granting the relief would be in the interest of council taxpayers.