Rate relief
If you believe you will qualify for one of these reductions and it is not showing on your bill please contact us on 01993 861070.
2025 to 2026 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme
At the Autumn Statement on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor announced that eligible ratepayers will receive 40% relief on their business rates bills for the year 2025/26 up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000.
Small business rate relief
Many businesses with rateable values below £12,000 will pay nothing. Those with rateable values between £12,001 and £14,999 will receive relief on a sliding scale. Businesses with a rateable value below £51,000 will benefit from having their charge calculated using the small business rate multiplier.
Local Newspaper Relief
The government has introduced a £1,500 business rates discount for office space occupied by local newspapers, up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per heritable property, for 2 years from 1 April 2017. The discount is subject to state aid levels.
This relief has now ended on 31 March 2025.
Rate relief for rural businesses
Certain types of business in rural settlements with a population below 3,000 may qualify for mandatory rural rate relief. To qualify the property must be occupied and be the only:
- general store or post office with a rateable value of less than £8,500
- public house or petrol filling station with a rateable value of less than £12,500
- or a food shop with a rateable value of less than £8,500
Charity and registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) relief
Charities and registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs are entitled to 80 per cent relief where the property is occupied by the charity or club and is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes or as a registered community amateur sports club. The council has discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill.
To register as a CASC visit the HM Revenues and Customs website or call 0845 302 0203.
Discretionary Rate Relief Policy
Below you can download our policy on business rate relief
Discretionary Rate Relief Policy - pdf - 308 Kb