Pubs urged to check rateable values now

Pubs should check the details of their rateable values now, before new bills come out at the start of April, warns the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Although business rates cannot be formally appealed until after 1 April, the VOA is urging licensees to get in touch now if they spot any errors in their rateable values.

Local councils have started sending out the rate bills, and include any relief the property might be eligible for, including small business rate relief, transition and empty property relief.

The VOA's revaluation project manager, Steve Bliss, said: "It's important that businesses check their rateable values to make sure the details are correct and contact us if they have any concerns. If the details are wrong we want to correct them now."

Since October, the VOA has sent out 1.8m valuations to allow rate payers to check details to make sure their bills are correct. It has also dealt with 100,000 telephone enquiries and 260,000 visitors on its revaluation website.

The appeal comes as the Conservatives ramp up their campaign against "tax bombshells" facing community pubs.

Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "Not content with a council tax revaluation to tax people's home improvements and scenic views, Gordon Brown also wants to hammer the nice local pub with higher local taxes.

"Only Conservatives will stand up for the local community pub. Gordon Brown has pushed local community pubs to the wall."

He added that at the same time Labour has ignored "the binge-drinking dens that have wrecked our town centres and fuelled violent crime".

Back in September the Conservatives issued warnings that local pubs and pubs with sports would face above-inflation business rate hikes.