Independent traders who find the current Non-Domestic (Business) Rate unfairly biased against commercial small businesses are hopefully all aware that there is some relief on the horizon. If you are a small business owner, or have friends that are, then please pass the word about the Small Business Rate Relief scheme - SBRR.

At the same time as the new rateable values become effective, April 1st 2010 - small businesses in England, when they are operated from only one premises where the new rateable value is a maximum of £17,999 per annum ( £25,499 in London) will be eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) : eligible businesses with rateable values below £6,000 (April 20010 valuation) will get 50% rate relief on their liability, this relief will decrease on a sliding scale of 1% for every £100 of rateable value over £6,000 and up to £11,999.

It is necessary to apply for the above relief each year : sadly many eligible small businesses will be unaware of this relief.

The scheme is somewhat detailed, but fuller information is available on a UK government webpage, please refer to

http://www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk/rates/other_reliefs/index.html

This scheme is due to be self-financing with those premises rated above the £17,999 (£25,499 London) threshold being required to pay a supplement. A somewhat similar scheme has run in Scotland for the past 7 years. The corporate superstores will thus now have to pay a small extra Business Rate surcharge - poetic justice. No doubt the RICS and other interested parties will petition vigorously on the corporate's behalf ; however, who in their right mind would wish to see the retail sector totally monopolised by a few giant mega-stores with their brand of merchandising.   This relief is open to all small businesses in England, not just retail.

As a small business proprietor I am pleased to note that the government at last accepts our genuine plight, for we are collectively very much an endangered species.

The local Valuation Offices and District Council offices should be supplying fuller details, and will probably be contacting each business premise ratepayer.

No doubt many trade organisations will draw their member's attention to this relief scheme. Details can also be found on http://www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk/ which is jointly administered by VOA - Valuation Office Agency and ODPM - Office of deputy Prime Minister.

Clive Keeble
edited and updated
18th March 2010