Retail, hospitality and leisure rate relief
The government introduced a new business rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure properties to support businesses that make our high streets and town centres a success and help them to evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands.
You could qualify for retail, hospitality and leisure relief if your business is mainly being used as a:
- shop
- restaurant, café, bar or pub
- cinema or music venue
- hospitality or leisure business - for example, a gym, a spa or a hotel
If you are eligible, you could get:
- 50% off your business rates bills for the 2022 to 2023 tax year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023)
- 75% off your business rates bills for the 2023 to 2024 tax year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024)
The most you can get in each tax year is £110,000 per business, known as the cash cap.
The expanded retail rate relief has been automatically applied to accounts where it is clear that the business will not exceed the cash caps. If the relief has been awarded it is important to let us know using our opt-out form if you will exceed the cash caps or wish to opt out of receiving this relief. Further information on cash caps is available on the government website.
Retail, hospitality and leisure relief is likely to amount to a subsidy. Any relief provided by Local Authorities under this scheme will need to comply with the UK’s domestic and international subsidy control obligations.
You can opt-out and refuse the 2023-24 expanded retail relief for each eligible hereditament anytime up to 30 April 2024. If you opt-out you cannot change your mind and there will be no entitlement for these reliefs for 2023-24.
If you are not in receipt of the retail rate relief and believe you are eligible please make an online application.
Apply for an expanded rate relief discount
Supporting small business relief
This relief is automatically awarded to ratepayers who have lost some or all of their small business rate relief or rural rate relief as a result of the 2023 revaluation. This scheme limits any increase in business rates bills by up to £600 per year.
National business rates reliefs
The government provides a range of support for businesses reducing the amount of business rates you need to pay. Some properties are eligible for discounts and these are called business rate reliefs.
If you think you are eligible, please apply online or contact us directly. We are aware that there are a number of agencies who will submit business rate relief applications on your behalf for a fee, however, the council is keen to support businesses to submit applications directly and ensure you receive all of any discount you are entitled to.
Charities, CASCS and not for profit organisations
Part occupation relief
Reoccupation of empty listed buildings relief
Rural rate relief
Small business rates relief
Unoccupied property exemption
We understand the importance support to local businesses and organisations plays in achieving the council's priorities, ensuring our communities and businesses are able to develop and thrive within the district.
Local business rates relief
Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 gives powers to local councils to grant discretionary business rate relief. Subsequent legislation in the Localism Act 2011 has extended these powers to allow wider granting of local discretionary relief.
Our 2022-23 non-domestic discretionary rate relief policy identifies the different areas of support available to our businesses, and application forms for the differing relief types can be found below;
Charities, CASCS and not for profit organisations
Creation of high quality office space
Hardship relief
Investment in targeted growth areas
Mobile phone mast relief
Part occupation relief
Reoccupation of empty listed buildings relief
Rural rate relief
Town centre improvement relief
From 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the eight authorities currently providing district and county level services.
The 2023-24 non-domestic discretionary rate relief policy for the new North Yorkshire Council will be available from 1 April 2023. We will contact those in receipt of discretionary rate relief in 2022-23 to invite applications to be made until the new policy. There is no need to contact us.
Find out about other business support services in the Harrogate district.