The Crown Inn brewing success with help of rate relief
A village pub is brewing success after it was awarded rural rate relief of more than £5,000 by Test Valley Borough Council.
The Crown Inn, Upton, has been awarded a 100 per cent discretionary rural rate relief for the 2019/20 financial year of £5,282.
The council can choose to award the relief to businesses that meet a number of criteria and where it can be shown that it is a valuable asset within the local community.
The Crown’s owner, David Watts, took over the pub in July and is already seeing the benefits of his new venture.
He said: “The community here in Upton is amazing and I’ve really enjoyed my time here since the summer. Everyone has been so welcoming and I have a nice mix of regulars and new visitors who are coming to check the pub out.
“To have such support from the borough council for the next year is incredible, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I really value our customers and hopefully I can carry on pulling pints for many more years yet!”
Leader, councillor Phil North, said: “We’re really keen to support any business we can and David has done a really good job in the short time he has been at the helm of The Crown. It’s a well-loved pub with plenty of character so it’s great to know that we can help it continue to succeed.
“Businesses in rural areas face many challenges but here is a real example of one at the hub of its community. We have to work hard to protect them and enjoy them when we can.”
Any business wishing to apply for discretionary rate relief can visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/ratesrelief for more information, or call Test Valley Borough Council on 01264 368000.