Licensees call for urgent resolution of delayed rates discounts

30-May-2017 - Last updated on 31-May-2017 at 10:37 GMT

Election uncertainty: some operators have voiced fears if the discount will ever be issued

Ongoing delays in sending out business rates discounts to pubs have prompted licensees and pub industry bodies to call for greater urgency.

Local authorities claimed they had not been given guidance from the Government on implementing business rates discounts promised in March’s spring Budget leaving pubs in limbo.

Forced into price rises

Vikki Amiss, licensee at the Red Lion in Ilmington, Warwickshire, told The Morning Advertiser that she has been left with no choice but to put prices up and borrow money as a result of the delays.

Amiss said that the £1,000 discount promised in the Budget to 90% of pubs was a “godsend”.

Yet she has since been told by Stratford District Council that the discount is now unlikely to be issued until after June’s general election.

Urgency self-evident

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Kate Nicholls said that the need for urgency was clear.

“The whole point of the relief was to target those companies most at risk as a result of huge rates rises,” she said.

And British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds called the delays “very disappointing”.

Lack of legal authority

Islington Borough Council in north London has echoed the uncertainty voiced by other councils.

“The Government has not issued either the regulations or guidance on how to implement the pub discount and, unfortunately, until it does, the council doesn’t have the legal authority to reduce pubs’ business rates bills,” said Islington council’s head of revenues and technical services Andrew Spigarolo.

Martin Whelan, licensee at Islington pub the Tollington, has said that he is unsure if the relief will even be issued.

“When you are promised something, you expect it. We now wonder if we will ever get this because of the general election,” he said.

Discount still promised

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government reiterated that pubs will be issued with the £1,000 discount promised.

“We’re working with local authorities and trade bodies on the details of implementing this additional support, and hope to issue guidance shortly,” they added.