At the Budget on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor announced that eligible ratepayers in occupied retail, hospitality and leisure premises will receive 40% relief on their business rates bills for the year 2025/26 up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000.

The £110,000 cash cap applies at a Group company level, so holding companies and subsidiaries cannot claim up to the cash cap for each company.

This relief is also subject to subsidy allowance rules as per the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Ratepayers cannot claim this relief if doing so would mean that they have received more than £315,000 in state aid over the past 3 years, this is known as the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit.

Please note that the Extended Retail Discount granted in 2021/22 does not count towards this limit. However, Covid business grants received from local government and any other subsidy claimed under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit over the 3-year period from 2023/24 to 2025/26 should be counted.

To be eligible for this relief, you must not exceed:

• the £110,000 cash cap for 2025/26, and
• the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 over 3 years (including 2025/26)

Properties that will benefit from this relief must be occupied and wholly or mainly being used as:

• shops for the sale of goods e.g., florists, bakers, grocers, off licences, car showrooms, petrol stations
• shops for the provision of services e.g., hairdressers, travel agents, ticket offices, appliance repair, funeral directors
• restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments
• cinemas and live music venues
• for assembly and leisure e.g., public halls, clubhouses, clubs
• hotels, guest & boarding premises and self-catering accommodation

Apply for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief

You must notify us immediately if you are not eligible or have exceeded the cash cap or Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Limit.