Introduction
At the Budget 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 per business.
In line with the conditions set by the Government, a business may only claim up to £110,000 of support under the 2024/25 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme across all their eligible premises. 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 three year period (consisting of the current financial year and the two 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 three year period should be counted.
Eligibility
Hereditaments qualify if they are an occupied non-domestic rate property that is wholly or mainly used:
- As shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas or live music venues
- For assembly or leisure - sports clubs, village halls, nightclubs, tourist attractions
- Or hotels, guesthouses, self-catering accommodation
To claim the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief you must not have exceeded either:
- the £110,000 cash cap for 2024/25
- the Minimal Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 over three years (including 2024/25)
Further details on the eligible premises, cash cap and subsidy control on the GOV.UK website.
If you previously qualified for the 75% Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief in 2023/24, then a new bill with the 75% discount will be issued in March 2024.
Businesses are asked to check their eligibility to this discount and to notify us if they either are in breach of the cash cap or have received more than the Minimal Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 over three years (including 2024/25).
Opt out of receiving Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief
If either of these apply, please complete the 'opt out' online form.
Claim or continue receiving Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief
If we have ceased your relief from 1 April 2024 and you do not breach the cash cap or the Minimal Financial Assistance limit (and you want to continue to receive Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief), please complete the online claim form below.
The claim form can also be used if you would like to apply for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief for the first time.