How do you qualify:

New ratepayers occupying certain shops in Dartford High Street, Orchards Shopping Centre and Priory Shopping Centre may qualify for discretionary rate relief.

The qualifying conditions are:

  • Shops must be designated as Use Classes A1 and A3 of the Town and Country Planning Acts
  • The ratepayer must be an independent trader (ie: not a national chain) and either has not occupied any premises in the designated area or has occupied new premises as a result of expanding the business
  • If rent is payable, the landlord must have granted a rent free period of at least three months during the first year of occupation
  • The ratepayer must have applied for and been considered for Small Business Rate Relief before applying for a discretionary award
  • New occupations by charitable organisations will not qualify

What do you get:

Relief will be available (supplementing any award of Small Business Rate Relief) so as to provide total relief of 100% for six months subject to a maximum amount of discretionary rate relief of £2,500 in any financial year.

How do you apply:

Please complete the Town Centre Relief application form.