Bill to give relief for sports clubs moved

The new enabling powers, proposed by DUP finance minister Mervyn Storey, would allow the department to put community sports on the same footing as community halls, by granting 100 per cent rate relief to unlicensed club premises, and their associated sporting facilities.

The department said that the “practical details will be consulted upon over the coming weeks to allow those affected by the changes to have their say”.

Meanwhile, 80 per cent sport and recreation relief will remain for those clubs that have bars and catering.

Mr Storey added: “This Bill also contains a new measure, suggested by a local businessman, which will disregard the commercial use of window displays in empty shops to allow the shop to continue to be treated as vacant for rating purposes.

“This is a novel but modest initiative, which compliments other rating policies here.”

The Rates (Amendment) Bill is currently scheduled for accelerated passage.