Business rates are set from the rateable value of your premises, but many venues pay less thanks to reliefs. Small business rate relief can reduce or remove the bill for properties below certain rateable value thresholds, usually where you occupy only one property. Retail, hospitality and leisure relief was introduced during the pandemic and ended in England on 31 March 2026; from April 2026 it was replaced by permanently lower multipliers for qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000, and eligible pubs and live music venues get extra temporary relief in 2026-27. Rural rate relief helps the only pub or shop in a small settlement, and charities and community amateur sports clubs get mandatory relief.
Councils also have discretionary powers for hardship. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes with different names and thresholds. Reliefs are rarely applied automatically, so check your bill, ask the council what you qualify for, and challenge your rateable value through the Valuation Office Agency if it looks wrong. Beware cold callers offering appeals for an upfront fee.
What we ask on the show
- Do most venues claim all the rates relief they could?
- Is business rates relief keeping pubs open?
- How do you challenge a rateable value?
- Why do rates hit hospitality harder than online businesses?