CASH-STRAPPED working men's clubs in Hyndburn have been given hope in their fight to survive.
Although councillors rejected a plea from the borough's 38 clubs for discretionary rate relief, they are calling for an early report on other ways of easing the clubs' financial burden.
Financial services chief Dan Sherry said there were a number of other choices to granting blanket rate relief. These include clubs applying for charitable status, in which case rate relief is automatic.
Or they could apply to the valuation officer for a reduction in rateable values.
The valuation officer had indicated he would be prepared to consider applications sympathetically, Mr Sherry told a meeting of Hyndburn Council.
A detailed report setting out all the choices will go to a future meeting of the policy and resources committee.
It is estimated discretionary rate relief would cost Hyndburn £40,000 a year.
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