11. 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme
At the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor announced that eligible ratepayers will receive 40% relief on their business rates bills for the year 2025/26 up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000.
Relief will be provided to eligible occupied retail, hospitality and leisure properties in 2025/26.
In line with the conditions set by the government, a ratepayer may only claim up to £110,000 of support under the 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme for all of their eligible hereditaments. This cash cap applies at a Group company level (so holding companies and subsidiaries cannot claim up to the cash cap for each company) and also to organisations which, although not a company, have such an interest in a company that they would, if they were a company, result in its being the holding company.
Furthermore, the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme is subject to the Minimal Financial Assistance limits under the Subsidy Control Act. This means no recipient can receive over £315,000 over a 3-year period (consisting of the current financial year and the 2 previous financial years). Covid business grants received from local government and any other subsidy claimed under the Minimal Financial Assistance or Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit over the 3-year period should be counted.
Therefore, to claim the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief you must not have exceeded either the £110,000 cash cap for 2025/26 or the Minimal Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 over 3 years (including 2025/26). Further guidance is available at Business Rates Relief: 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme - GOV.UK .
If you do not want to receive 2024/25 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief or if you will exceed the Minimal Financial Assistance limits under the Subsidy Control Act, you can opt out. However once you have asked to opt out you cannot change your decision. To opt out of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme please use our Retail, Hospitality and Leisure opt out form