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 01285 623034.
2024 to 2025 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme
At the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023, the Chancellor announced that eligible ratepayers will receive 75% relief on their business rates bills for the year 2024/25 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.
Examples of calculations
Basic calculation:
- rateable value x small business multiplier £19,000 x 0.499 = £9,481.00 rates payable
- rateable value x standard multiplier £55,000 x 0.512 = £28,160.00 rates payable
Small business rate relief:
- rateable value x small business multiplier £14,000 x 0.499 = £6,986.00 payable before relief
- Small business rate relief on a sliding scale £4,658.00 rates payable and £2,328.00 relief
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 been extended up to 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 Business Rates Relief Policy - pdf - 442 Kb