We would like Bristol City Council to reinstate the Discretionary Rate Relief for non-profits and Community Interest Companies. We urge Bristol City Council to provide ongoing support for organisations like Prior Shop and the myriad ways they invest in the Bristol economy. 

WE HAVE LAUNCHED A CROWDFUNDER - PLEASE VIEW IT HERE: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-prior-shop-charity-set-up-costs-b-rates

We are disappointed to find out that due to Bristol City Council voting (Feb 23) to end Discretionary Business Rate Relief from 1st April 24, Prior Shop, Bristol's non-profit that gives so much back into the Bristol economy and community, will be liable for the same Business Rates as big chains such as the profit driven global chains Ted Baker, Apple and Fat Face. 

From April 2024 Prior Shop's Business Rates Bill will increase from £6,963.20 to £34,816.00 per year. Like other non-profits and Community Interest Companies facing a similar increase, it will force them to close. 

For Prior Shop, this means the loss of 9 members of staff and the many ways they provide real, practical support for the creative community of Bristol - not just in terms of providing access to prime retail for the beautiful work of over 150 local and sustainable artists and makers. They use 100% of the profits (after paying living wage and overheads) to fund charity workshops/social action groups and offer a gallery space and community workshop space for hire at cost price. Prior helps deliver outstanding results for their local makers, their wider Bristol community as a whole, and the planet. 

Prior Shop works with local Universities and schools to offer placements and valuable work experience. They offer free business mentoring and social events for local businesses, and run paid courses for more specific support. They are registered as a Sustainable Impact Champion and are have completed the Good Employment Charter. They use 100% renewable energy and all of their promotional material is recycled. They create very minimal waste and every single product they stock is carefully researched for its environmental impact. 

Prior Shop has won multiple nationally-recognised awards for what they do. 

Justification from Beck Prior

"We understand that budgets have been cut and decisions need to be made during this challenging time, however we find the decision of the council to be short-sighted. The impact of this vote will directly impact Bristol organisations that are uplifting and enriching the local community"

Over the last 12 months, Prior Shop has supported Bristol's community and economy with the following:

• 815 people have attend their workshops and they have supported over 72 independent local workshop hosts.
• 800 people have attended a private view of an exhibition (not including the footfall for the exhibitions duration) and Prior has supported 12 local artists/groups.
• Provided creative workshops for a total of 54 vulnerable adults.
• Led business networking events, workshops and events supporting 170 small businesses.
• Hosted work experience for 9 young people and led tours and discussions for 3 university groups.
• Provided access, income, marketing and advice for 150 independent designers and makers, 70% of them living in Bristol. 
• Provided over Living Wage employment for 9 local people.
• Plus the cumulative benefits of using local accountants, window cleaners, printers, fabricators, suppliers etc. 
• These figures are expected to increase by 30% this coming year. 

Business Rates are charged based on the square metre that a business occupies. Every business is classed with a special code and therefore charged a different base rate per m². The range is unfairly allocated - for example, warehouses can be charged £20 per m² and some physical shops are charged an enormous £780 per m². It is not based on the turnover, profit or values of a business. It is unfairly based on the assumption on the profit if fast fashion, mass produced retail. So for example, Amazon a huge warehouse based organisation will pay considerably less than a local independent business with a physical shop. 

Businesses that occupy small/medium sized premises are exempt from Business Rates but businesses who occupy larger spaces are charged. This 'blanket rule' stops the growth of Bristol's Social Enterprises because if they take on a large premises  - ultimately to help more people and increase the investment they have in the local community - they are grouped with large profit driven companies and charged an extortionate, unachievable rate solely because of the floorplan. Every local council has the power to offer 'Discretionary Rate Relief' to businesses that they feel shouldn't pay the full amount. Bristol is one of the only councils in the UK who have decided to remove this support.  

The landlords at Cabot Circus are very supportive of independent businesses and although they need to meet the requirements of customers wanting to find large chains in the shopping centre, they also have a variety of pop-up schemes for small businesses to take advantage of. Most small businesses do not take up this great importunity due to the extortionate cost of business rates.

Local, independent businesses who do not make a profit: whose sole purpose is to support the community, should not have to pay the same Business Rates as  profit driven organisations that do very little for Bristol's economy and import mass made products (with VAT relief). Bristol City Council, please reinstate the Discretionary Rate Relief for non-profits and Community Interest Companies so they can continue to do good. 

Read more about Prior Shop here

Please sign and add a comment regarding any experiences you've had with our organisation and the community support we provide.  We will use your testimonials for further evidence when we challenge the Council.