Retail Rate relief
The Chancellor has announced that the Government would provide further business rates support for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England occupying a qualifying property.
For the financial year 2025/26:
The discount is 40% up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000 per business.
To qualify, a ratepayer must also not exceed the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit of £315,000 in a three-year period (consisting of the current financial year and the two previous financial years). Details of subsidy limits can be found online.
Where we believe the eligibility criteria are met, we will be issuing ratepayers with bills showing the uncapped relief of 40% . The onus is on the business to ensure they do not claim relief exceeding the maximum allowance.
Electronic versions of the form included with these letters can be downloaded below:
You can also use Form A if you have not received this relief automatically but wish to apply as you have more than one property and have not exceeded the cap.
Completed forms should be sent to business.rates@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
For previous financial years, the discounts have been awarded as follows:
The discount for eligible properties for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021 was 100% (uncapped). For the period 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, it was 66%, with a cash cap of £2m for businesses required to close as of 5 January 2021, and up to £105,000 for businesses permitted to open at that date. Further information can be found at Gov.UK Website
For the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, it was 50%, up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000 per business (including any companies within the group). Further information can be found at Gov.UK Website
For the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, it was 75%, up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000 per business (including any companies within the group) . Further information can be found Gov.UK Website
The above reliefs are awarded under Section 47 Local Government Finance Act 1988 therefore are subject to backdating limitations
For the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the discount was 75% up to a maximum cash cap of £110,000 per business.
If you need further advice, please email the team at Business.Rates@Cherwell-dc.gov.uk