Since April 1998 help has been available for certain village shops and post offices. To qualify for relief, your shop must be within a defined settlement in a designated rural area and this settlement must have a population of less than 3,000 people. 

Plans showing the boundaries of the defined settlements are available for inspection. Where there is only one village general store, food shop or post office in a defined settlement with a rateable value of up to £7,000 it will be eligible for 50% relief. In addition, ratepayers of these premises can also apply for relief for the remaining 50% of their bill. Sole village pubs or petrol filling stations with a rateable value of up to £10,500 also qualify for 50% relief.

Any other businesses in the qualifying rural areas, which have a rateable value of up to £14,000, can apply for relief. However, the Council has sole discretion whether to award the relief or not.

If you think that you may qualify please contact the Revenues Service on 01233 330720 or email the Revenues Service Team