Hardship Relief

Your Council has a discretionary power to reduce the amount of business rates  you pay, if it is satisfied that:

• your business would be in considerable financial difficulties without it; and
• it is in the interests of its other local Council Tax payers.

Hardship relief is intended to assist a business recover from a crisis, financial or otherwise, and therefore some form of recovery plan will generally be required before an application is considered. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that reasonable steps are being taken to alleviate the hardship. For example seeking business advice, offering discounts and promotions, reviewing pricing, extending the range of stock or services, negotiating with creditors, etc.

There is no statutory definition of Hardship and each application will be considered on its merits.

Email to Apply for Hardship Relief.

You should continue to pay your rates bill until we notify you of the decision on your application.

If your application is granted, we will send you an amended rates demand that will take account of any payments you have already made.