Irvine's oldest pub faces forking out £71,000 on historical business rates.
The Ship Inn, which dates back 1567, has been closed since the Covid pandemic hit but has been undergoing a dramatic makeover recently.
Such is the extent of renovations that parts of the 455-year-old venue are no longer the same and will be used for different things.
Despite the alterations, it's anticipated that Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board (AVJB) — the body tasked with setting non-domestic rates and council tax — will still charge the iconic venue £71,000 based on a historical assessment.
Irvine councillor Robert Foster branded the call not to reassess the building as 'utterly ridiculous'.
The Labour councillor quizzed economy portfolio holder, councillor Tony Gurney, about the support available to the pub at a full council meeting this week.
SNP member Mr Gurney said that "the extent of any business use and rateable value for the property is, as the member well knows, a matter for the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board and the rate payer."
Cllr Gurney went on to say that the boozer has had 100 per cent 'property relief' since April 1, 2021 because of its listed building status, along with 100 per cent 'retail, hospitality and leisure relief' during the pandemic. He pointed out the business would also qualify for a 12-month 'Fresh Start Relief' which would relieve 100 per cent of rates from day one of trading.
Councillor Foster asked the SNP member to put his name to a letter to the AVJB emphasising how important the venue was to the area in a historical significance and in light of major plans to redevelop Irvine harbourside.
Mr Gurney said he wouldn't do this. Adding: "We have governance structures in place for everything that we do. The temptation is always to jump in with both feet whenever the next issue applies and change those governance structures for one person or for one business or for one organisation.
"That tends to lead to poor leadership, poor governance and a poor administration of any council. Whilst the council and its business team will do everything in its power to help the new ownership of The Ship Inn, rates and evaluations quite rightly lie with the joint valuation board and they should stay there."
Following the meeting, Mr Foster affirmed his disappointment in councillor Gurney's stance.
Councillor Foster said: “The importance of the Ship Inn to Irvine Harbourside cannot be underestimated. For decades, The Ship has been an integral part of the harbourside experience.
“It has been closed for over two years and yet they are expected to pay historic business rates of £71,000 per year to reopen.
“With £14million of public money about to be invested in the Harbourside through the Great Harbour project, it has never been more important to support local businesses in Irvine Harbourside.
“With the cost of everything else going through the roof, and significant investment being made to renovate the building, it is utterly ridiculous that the business rates for the Ship Inn are not being reassessed to provide a fair reflection on its current position.
“The council should be supporting the owners of the Ship Inn to reopen. It is incredibly disappointing that the SNP Cabinet Member will not even send a letter to the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board asking them to reassess the business rates.”
A spokesperson for Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board said: "A new Valuation Roll is published following each revaluation. The last revaluation took effect from April 1, 2017 and the next is due to take effect from April 1, 2023.
"In terms of rating legislation, there are specific circumstances in which a valuation can be amended between revaluations. Such circumstances include where a property has been materially altered or following an appeal.
"Should any ratepayer have concerns regarding the rateable value placed on their property, they should contact the assessor’s office in the first instance.
"Further details regarding the rating system can be found on the Scottish Assessors Association website at: www.saa.gov.uk."
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