Vale of White Horse joins local council efforts to ease pressure on pubs
Councillors are considering a one-off business rates relief scheme
Vale of White Horse District Council could become the latest Oxfordshire authority to offer extra support to pubs and rural businesses facing rising costs.
The council's Cabinet will decide next week whether to introduce a one-off discretionary business rates relief scheme for the 2026/27 financial year, using council funding to top up existing government support.
The move follows similar action elsewhere in the county with West Oxfordshire District Council approving an updated business rates relief policy that includes a 15% reduction for eligible pubs and live music venues earlier this month.
South Oxfordshire District Council is also considering introducing an additional 15% "top-up" relief for pubs.
The council says its proposals are designed to help businesses cope with increasing financial pressures.
Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Mark Coleman, said: "These businesses, run by local residents, are hugely important for our local communities, providing essential services and places where people form friendships and engage with each other.
"However, they face numerous financial challenges, including rising employment costs, persistently high inflation, declining consumer spending power and rising property taxes. So, we are considering what we can appropriately do to provide targeted support that would make a small but meaningful difference to many people.
"The council also struggles to balance the books, and so while this funding is limited and will not resolve all of the financial challenges businesses are facing, we remain committed to working with pubs and partners to provide access to practical support and guidance."
Unlike South Oxfordshire, where Cabinet has been recommended to back a single county-wide 15% top-up for eligible pubs, Vale of White Horse councillors will choose between five different options.
These range from providing a 15% business rates top-up for all eligible pubs across the district to more targeted schemes focusing only on village pubs or sole rural businesses such as post offices, food shops and petrol stations.
If members choose the broadest option, around 78 pubs would benefit at an estimated total cost of £135,620, with the council's share amounting to just over £54,000.
The most targeted proposal, covering only the sole pub in rural settlements, would support around 23 businesses at an estimated council cost of about £15,400.
A report prepared for councillors says pubs across the district have seen average rateable value increases of around 40% following April's business rates revaluation, compared with increases of between 7% and 22% for most other hospitality businesses.
It acknowledges that while restaurants, hotels and cafés are also under financial pressure, pubs have been particularly affected and often play an important role as community hubs, especially in rural areas.
Councillors also warn that any relief would be a one-off measure and is unlikely to solve the financial challenges facing the hospitality sector.
A final decision will be made when Vale of White Horse District Council's Cabinet meets on Friday.