South Norfolk Council backs pubs against huge rate rises
South Norfolk Council is fighting the case of pubs facing a “crippling” 130% hike in business rates.
Business rates have increased dramatically for some
Leader of the campaign and chairman of the Rural Pubs Task Cllr Keith Weeks is “furious” about this “huge and crippling new burden” and has pledged to present the issue to the Parliamentary Beer Group and will raise the matter at the council’s Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday (10 February).
Last year's winner of the council’s Community Pub of the Year Award, the Pelican in Tacolneston is facing a shock 130% rise in rates for 2010/11.
Other pubs hit hard are the New Inn in Rockland St Mary and the Three Boars in Spooner Row.
It was a hot topic at the council’s recent key Budget Cabinet meeting where councillors agreed to recommend more discretionary rate relief for local pubs.
“It’s alarming that struggling pubs are now having to face these increases at this difficult time with pubs everywhere going under,” said chairman of the council Beverley Spratt.
Cllr Weeks added: “If the threshold for relief is raised, it would alleviate some of the financial pain, and this is a point we at South Norfolk Council will be forcefully making to our friends at the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.”
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