Businesses in Wales within the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors still have time to apply for the business (non-domestic) rates relief scheme to reduce their business rates bill for the current financial year. Alun Evans, a Partner at our Haverfordwest and Carmarthen offices, provides additional information on who is eligible and the benefits eligible businesses will receive.
Who is eligible?
The business rates relief scheme is aimed at businesses and other ratepayers in Wales in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, for example, shops, pubs, restaurants, gyms, performance venues and hotels.
The scheme aims to provide support for eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 75% on non-domestic rates bills for such properties. The scheme will apply to all eligible businesses. However, the relief will be subject to a cap on the amount each business can claim across Wales. The total amount of relief available is £110,000 across all properties occupied by the same business. All businesses are required to make a declaration that the amount of relief they are seeking across Wales does not exceed this cap when applying to individual local authorities.
Next steps – How do I apply for business rates relief?
If your business meets the eligibility criteria, the next step will be to make an application via the local authority where your business is registered. Please see the relevant links below relating to each authority:
Pembrokeshire County Council – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief in Wales – Pembrokeshire County Council
Carmarthenshire County Council – Non-Domestic Rates Relief (gov.wales)
Ceredigion County Council – Non-Domestic Rates – Ceredigion County Council
Swansea County Council – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2023/24 – Swansea
Cardiff County Council – Are there any reliefs available? (cardiff.gov.uk)
Vale of Glamorgan County Council – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief in Wales – 2023-24 (valeofglamorgan.gov.uk)
When is the deadline?
The business rates relief scheme is available until 31 March 2024. Businesses that meet the eligibility criteria must apply for this business rate relief scheme to be considered.
If you require any further information, please get in touch with your usual Bevan Buckland advisor or send us an email