A TEIGNBRIDGE pub, which has been closed for six years, has seen a near doubling of its Rateable Value in the latest round of business rate hikes crippling pubs and the leisure and hospitality industries.

The Dolphin Inn in Kenton last served a pint in 2019, before its doors were locked for the last time.

There's now a thriving community bid to buy the pub, working in partnership with the owner, and for the Dolphin to once again be a hub for everyone in the village.

However, county councillor Alan Connett says the rateable value for the Dolphin in April 2023 was just £5,000 but from this April, that will shoot up to £9,000.

The rateable value is the amount business rates, which are set by the Government, are calculated on and not what they actually pay.

Cllr Connett, who represents the Exminster and Haldon division on Devon County Council, has researched the potential increases in rates for local pubs, and other hospitality businesses in the area he serves.

He said: ‘If not punished by the Government in this budget, then many of our local community pubs will likely be thrashed in the next round of business rate valuations.

‘There's a triple whammy for many pubs and hospitality businesses of the cruel jobs tax, high energy prices and now the business rates being hiked.

'If local pubs have not been caught in the business rates net this time, they almost certainly will when it comes round again.

‘The Government is calling “last orders” for many small, local community pubs, especially those in our rural areas.’

In Starcross, two pubs will see a near doubling of their rateable value - but one is affected far more than the other.

Cllr Connett explains: ‘The Driftwood Inn, previously known as the Galleon, will become liable for Business Rates from this April.

‘Currently, its rateable value is £8,400 but in three months time it shoots up to £16,500 and I estimate that will bring a full rates demand for over £6,000, subject to any Government funded reliefs to help with the financial blow.

‘Business premises with a rateable value below £12,000 are exempt from business rates, so just up the road in Starcross, the Atmospheric Inn, will see its rateable value double from £5,250 to £10,500 but because that’s under the £12,000 threshold, I understand there will be no business rates to pay.’

Another local pub caught in the business rates trap is the Poachers in Ide.

Its rateable value is currently £9,500 but increases to £13,500 in April, putting it just £1,500 above the exemption limit.

One pub that will be breathing a sigh of relief is the Royal Oak in Exminster. It will see its rateable value go from £8,750 to dead on £12,000.

It is only just exempt from Business Rates.

The news was not so good for the other pub in Exminster, the Stowey Arms. The Stowey’s rateable value goes up from £13,100 to £15,500 although its landlady is about to quit.

Other local pubs like the Huntsman in Ide and the Seven Stars in Kennford have also had their rateable values increased but they remain just under the £12,000 threshold which excludes them from paying business rates.