Who can get the retail business rates discount?
If your business premises have a rateable value of less than £51,000 and are used entirely or mainly for retail (eg shop, restaurant, cafe or bar), you will receive a one third reduction in your business rates.
We work out the amount of relief and apply it to your account after all other reductions have been taken into account.
For the 2020/21 financial year, business premises that are occupied wholly or mainly for retail, hospitality or leisure use shall receive a reduction of 100%. The amount of relief applied is calculated and applied to accounts after all other eligible reductions have been taken into consideration.
2020 Expanded retail discount guidance
From 1 April 2021 the Government has reduced Retail Discount as detailed below:
- 100% off your business rates bills for the first 3 months of the 2021 to 2022 tax year (1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021)
- 66% off your business rates bills for the rest of the 2021 to 2022 tax year (1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022) – up to a total value of £2 million
- If your business was legally allowed to open during the national lockdown starting 5 January 2021, your discount for 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 will be capped at £105,000 rather than £2 million
Please note, during week commencing 14 June 2021, the Council issued new bills to all businesses in receipt of Retail Discount with the reduction in relief effective from 1 July 2021, giving a minimum of 14 days’ notice of any new instalments.
I think I should have received a reduction
The Local Taxation section has identified accounts that meet the criteria and has automatically applied this relief.
If you believe you should have received a reduction, but have not received a bill reflecting the retail discount, please telephone Revenues Services on 01653 600666.