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Post Offices: Business Rates

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 20086

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what typical Special Category code is given by the Valuation Office to a standalone Post Office; and whether Post Offices inside wider retail shops are valued separately.

Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Special Category (SCat) code for a Post Office is 429. Where a Post Office is situated within wider retail premises, it may be assessed separately for rating purposes if the post office element is a separate unit of assessment from the wider retail premises. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

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