Riot hit pubs: get your rates appeal in now

Pubs and bars that have been affected during the riots are being urged to lodge appeals with their local Valuation Office for a reduction in business rates — that's according to business rates advice firm Gerald Eve.

Jerry Schurder, head of rating, said that any sites that have suffered structural damage, are located close to other damaged properties, or were not able to trade for at least a day could get a business rates relief.

Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to cover three-quarters of the rates of those hit by the riots and will offer further tax relief under the Time to Pay scheme.

"For any units that were destroyed or suffered significant structural damage, the local Valuation Officer should be approached to take the assessment out of rating with immediate effect," said Shurder.

"If you are located close to properties which have been damaged in this way and are likely to suffer disturbance for a considerable period, one can lodge appeals for a reduction in rates assessment whilst these adverse circumstances exist."

However, if the damage is minimal, for example damage to shop fronts, it may not be possible to apply for a reduction because the site is deemed as "in a reasonable state of repair".

In this case, Shurder said: "So long as premises were incapable of occupation for at least one complete day, licensees should apply to the local billing authority for empty rates relief on the grounds that the property was unoccupied."

"If your own property has escaped physical damage but you were unable to trade or occupy premises as a consequence of riots, for example if police action denied access for at least an entire day, one is able to claim void rates relief due to occupation being prevented by the action of a public body."