Stranraer NOW CLOSED  But may reopen. Its awaiting the council applying rates relief because they are holding back. The say the space was unused. Its not true. 

Eat Up Charity is fighting for mandatory charitable rates relief in Stranraer

Eat Up Charity (SC048548) has been operating a community hub at Units 2/3/4, 23–29 George Street, Stranraer since March 2024. The space has been used for charitable storage, community activities, and our Step Up programme, helping people in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

​

We applied for the mandatory 80% charitable rates relief that Scottish law provides for registered charities when a property is “wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes”. This relief is not discretionary — it is a legal right confirmed in official Scottish Government guidance (Local Government Finance Circular 5/2023).

​

Despite providing a signed licence, visible signage, insurance documents, and evidence of genuine charitable use, Dumfries & Galloway Council has refused the relief. Officers have relied on unannounced external site visits and have not disclosed the evidence or photographs they claim support their decision. The bill has now escalated to approximately £45,550, with recovery action (including sheriff officers) continuing while the dispute remains unresolved.

​

Why this matters to our community Stranraer East, South and West are among the most deprived areas in Dumfries & Galloway. Every pound Eat Up spends on rates is a pound we cannot use to support local people through food, upcycling, mental health support, and community activities.

 

The Council’s own Stranraer Local Place Plan 2023–2033 recognises the importance of community-led initiatives — yet our charity is being treated as if it does not exist.

We have followed every proper process: formal correspondence, a Data Subject Access Request (which the council has not replied to), and a Stage 2 complaint (which the council rejected). We continue to seek a fair review based on the correct legal test and the Council’s own published guidance.

​

What we are asking for

• Immediate suspension of recovery action while the dispute is resolved

• Full disclosure of the site-visit evidence the Council relied upon

• Application of the mandatory 80% charitable relief in accordance with the law

• ​

We are committed to transparency and will continue to keep our community updated. If you would like to support Eat Up or learn more about our work in Stranraer, please get in touch.

Contact Tommy Reid of Eat Up Email: rates@eatupcharity.online  Website: www.eatupcharity.co.uk

​

Once this issue is solved the we can reopen Stranraer