Rural businesses are suffering during the economic downturn like their urban counterparts. but the failure of a business in a small village can devastate a local community and urgent action is needed to give relief to these businesses at the heart of village life.
Linda Walton, Rural Affairs Chairman

Current Work

Vital Village Businesses

The FSB is particularly concerned about the plight of sole village shops, pubs, petrol stations and post offices during these difficult times.  These businesses have already been in marked decline and we are concerned that the current difficult economic conditions could sound the death knell for many of these businesses which form the backbone of village life.

Sole village shops, pubs, petrol stations and post offices which are based in rural areas with a population of below 3000 and are within a rural settlement area, qualify for 50 per cent mandatory business rate relief with local authorities able to grant further relief at discretion. 

Last year the FSB campaigned for more help for these vital village businesses and following our lobbying the Government has raised the thresholds for qualification for rural rate relief which means more sole shops, pubs, petrol stations and post offices will be able to qualify for this much needed relief

Sole Shops/Post Offices/General Stores

At the moment sole post offices and general stores, with a rateable value of up to £8,500, qualify for 50 per cent mandatory rate relief.

Sole Pubs/Petrol Stations

At the moment sole post offices and general stores, with a rateable value of up to £12,500, qualify for 50 percent mandatory rate relief.

However, we want the Government to go further and we are calling on the Chancellor to raise the thresholds further to protect our vital village businesses.  For more information please see our Budget submission 2010.

Rural Affairs & Tourism Manifesto

Last year we launched our 'A New Approach to the Rural Economy' document that outlines some of our key proposals to help relaise the potential of our rural economy.  Read our manifesto here.

Furnished Holiday Lettings

The Chancellor announced in the 2009 Budget that, from April 2010, the rules for Furnished Holiday Lettings will be repealed.  These changes mean the self-catering sector accommodation businesses will face a greater tax liability which could severely affect their financial viability.

Read the FSB consultation response.