Supporting Small Business Relief Schemes 2023-24 to 2025-26
Due to the Business Rates revaluation coming into force on 1 April 2023, the Government has announced a relief scheme for businesses which will cap bill increases at £600 per year for any business losing eligibility for some or all Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief at the 2023 Valuation.
If your business was receiving one of these reliefs, the limit in the increase in your Business Rates bill will be set at £600 per year whilst the scheme exists.
You do not have to apply for this relief as it will automatically be applied to your Business Rates bill.
Although this reduction is funded by the Government and with Government-set eligibility criteria, it is awarded using the Council's discretionary powers. As such, the award must not breach subsidy control limits.
Details of the scheme and other reliefs can be found at Gov.UK.
2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme
The Government has extended the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme for one year, 2025/26.
The Council has agreed a Business Rates Relief 2025/26: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme based on the Government's guidance and eligibility criteria. Further details can be found here.
The 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme provides occupied retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a 40% relief up to a cash cap limit of £110.000 per business. Ratepayers that occupy more than one property are entitled to relief for each of their eligible properties, up to a total value of £110,000 across all their properties.
Eligibility
You do not need to reapply for 2025/26 as the relief will continue automatically. To be eligible for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief you must not have exceeded either:
- the £110,000 cash cap for 2025/26
- the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 over 3 years (including 2025/26)
If you do not wish to receive the relief, or you are not eligible to receive the relief, but it is showing on your Business Rates bill, you can let us know here:
Contact the Business Rates Team
Subsidy Control Limits (Formerly Known as State Aid)
The business must also keep within their obligations under the Subsidy Control Act. This is where the business receives additional aid from Government bodies such as discretionary help or grants.
Please note, if you are unsure of you legal obligations regarding subsidy control, the Council is not able to provide you with any advice. You will need to keep evidence of the award under subsidy control.
For more information, please read the Government Guidance note.
Accepting the relief means that you confirm that you do not breach your subsidy control levels, and will notify the Council of any relevant subsidy control awards totalling above £315,000 in accordance with the subsidy control rules. You can notify us of these awards using the button below: