Small businesses celebrate year-long rates holiday

The recently announced 50% retail discount that applied for shops, cinemas, restaurants, and music venue would be extended to other businesses in the leisure and hospitality sectors, including museums, art galleries, theatres, caravan parks and B&Bs.

Business rates are administered at the local government level, so clear guidance on how firms are deemed eligible for the rates holiday are hard to find.

The earlier retail discounts included a £1,000 business rates discount for pubs in England with a rateable value below £100,000 for one year from 1 April 2020. This discount will be increased to £5,000 to cushion them from coronavirus.

The £1,500 business rates discount for office space used by local newspapers in England will also be extended for five more years until 31 March 2025 and the government promised to bring forward legislation to provide 100% business rates relief for public lavatories in England from April 2020.