20% Business Rates Cut for Venues
If you run a pub, club or live music venue, there’s a genuine piece of good news to report. On 24th July 2026, the government confirmed a 20% cut to business rates for eligible venues, expected to save a typical pub around £1,100 a year. It comes into force from April 2027.
Who qualifies
The relief applies to pubs, clubs and live music venues, roughly 32,000 businesses across England and Wales are expected to be eligible. It doesn’t extend to the very largest live music venues. If you’re not sure whether your business qualifies, it’s worth checking the detail by getting in touch with Tax Driven Accountants.
How it fits with existing support
This is separate from, and comes on top of, the 15% pubs and live music venues relief already running for the 2026/27 financial year, which was announced back in January. Between the two, hospitality operators in this space have had two rounds of targeted business rates support within the space of about six months.
Worth knowing, not just celebrating
The government says the cut will be partly funded by increasing business rates on large online warehouses. The opposition has questioned how the wider package of measures will be funded, so it’s fair to say the detail of funding isn’t fully settled even though the rate cut itself is confirmed policy. Worth keeping an eye on any further announcements as the April 2027 start date approaches.
What to do now
Nothing needs actioning immediately, this doesn’t take effect until April 2027, but it’s worth factoring into any forward planning or budgeting you’re doing for next year. If you want a clearer picture of what this could mean for your figures once it lands, we’re happy to talk it through.
Run a pub, club or music venue and want help understanding what this means for your business? Get in touch. info@taxdriven.co.uk / 0800 999 1800.
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