The Government announced in the Budget on 29 October 2018 that it would provide a Business Rates Retail Discount to apply in the years 2019/20 and 2020/21. In a Written Ministerial Statement on 27 January 2020 the Government announced that it would extend the value of the Retail Discount from one third of the bill in 2019/20 to 50% of the bill in 2020/21. This relief will apply to qualifying occupied retail properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000. To qualify for the relief the hereditament (premises) should be wholly or mainly being used as a shop, restaurant, café or drinking establishment. Wealden District Council considers this to mean:
Premises that are being used for the sale of goods to visiting members of the public:
- Shops for example: florists, newsagents, butchers, chemists, jewellers, stationers
- Charity shops, opticians, Post Offices
- Furnishing shops/display rooms for example: carpet shops, double glazing, garage doors
- Car/caravan showrooms, second hand car lots
- Petrol stations, garden centres, markets
- Art galleries where art is for sale/hire
Premises that are being used for the provision of the following services to visiting members of the public:
- Hair and beauty service for example: hair dressers, nail bars, beauty salons, tanning shops
- Shoe repairs /key cutting
- Travel agents, theatre ticket offices
- Dry cleaners, launderettes
- PC/TV domestic appliance repair
- Funeral directors
- Tool hire, Car hire
Premises that are being used for the sale of food and /or drink to visiting members of the public:
- Restaurants
- Takeaways
- Sandwich shops, coffee shops
- Pubs & bars
NOTE- For 2020/21 the scheme has been extended to also include as follows:
Premises which are being used as cinemas
Premises that are being used as live music venues.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive as it would be impossible to list the many and varied retail uses that exist however properties that are not broadly similar in nature to those listed above will not be eligible for the relief.
View further details of the Retail Discount Policy
Apply for Retail Relief
If you think that your business qualifies you can apply for Retail Relief by downloading our Retail Relief Application form.