Further business rate reliefs available

Local newspaper relief

Since 1 April 2017, billing authorities have been awarding a discount of up to £1,500 a year on office space occupied by local newspapers.

This has now been extended to April 2021.

This is up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per property, and up to state aid limits (200,000 Euros over a rolling three-year period).

More details on eligibility for this relief: business rates relief for local newspapers (GOV.UK)

For any further information regarding these reliefs, please contact the Business Rates Team.

Retail discount

From 1 April 2019, billing authorities can apply a discount of one third off their bill if they are a retail business.

The properties are being wholly or mainly used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.

The business needs to be occupied and have a rateable value of less than £51,000, and up to state aid limits (200,000 Euros over a rolling three-year period).

Businesses which may benefit from this discount include:

• Those being used for the sale of goods to members of the public
  For example: shops including charity shops, opticians, post offices, furnishing shops, display rooms (carpets, double glazing and such like), car and caravan show rooms, second hand car lots, markets, petrol stations, garden centres, art galleries (where art can be bought or hired)
• Those being used for the provision of services to members of the public
  For example: hair and beauty services,  shoe repairs, key cutting, travel agents, ticket offices, dry cleaners, launderettes, PC, TV and domestic appliance repairs, funeral directors, photo processing, tool hire, car hire
• Those being used for the sale of food and/or drink to members of the public - for example: restaurants, takeaways, sandwich shops, coffee shops, pubs, bars

Businesses whose type of use are not considered by the Government to be retail use for the purpose of this relief include:

• Those being used for the provision of other services to visiting members of the public
  For example: financial services (banks, building societies, cash points, bureau de change, payday lenders, betting shops, pawn brokers), other services (estate agents, letting agents, employment agencies), medical services (vets, dentists, doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors), professional services (solicitors, accountants, insurance agents, financial advisers, tutors), post office sorting offices.
• Those that are not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public

Premises outside the scope of the scheme include: cinemas, theatres, museums, nightclubs and music venues. Properties used for sport or physical recreation such as gyms are also not included.

More details on eligibility for this relief: business rates retail discount (GOV.UK)

Discretionary business rates relief for new or expanding businesses

In certain circumstances, we, as the billing authority, have the discretion to award a two year reduction of up to 50% on the amount payable.

Before considering a ratepayer's eligibility for this relief, we will require an application form completed along with any relevant supporting documentation. To find full details of this relief and to apply for discretionary business rates relief for your new or expanding business, complete our new business discretionary business rates relief application form (PDF)

For any further information regarding these reliefs please contact the Business Rates Team.

Last updated: 22/01/2024 13:29