BUSINESS RATE REVALUATION AND PETROL FILLING STATIONS

That this House expresses grave concern at the effect of the 2010 business rate revaluation of petrol filling stations, car washes and associated shops; observes that rateable value increases in excess of 250 per cent. have been reported by some filling stations, with an average rise of 56 per cent. according to the Valuation Office Agency figures; notes that around 500 rural filling stations have closed in each year since 1997, increasing rural deprivation; fears that the remaining 2,200 independent sites are under threat as a result of the revaluation which unfairly penalises filling stations with shop sales and car washes due to flawed changes in Valuation Office Agency methodology; and calls on the Government to postpone this business rate revaluation of petrol filling stations from taking place in the depths of a recession.