Real Estate
Home›Real Estate›Residential›England and Wales launch review of business rates for…
England and Wales launch review of business rates for pubs and hotels
The review will be led by business rates expert Jerry Schurder and is due to report back in March 2027, ahead of the next rates revaluation in 2029.
A new review has been launched into how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, with the potential to reform the system for rate valuations, the UK Treasury said. The Treasury appointed business rates expert Jerry Schurder to lead the review and expects a report back in March 2027.
The government said the process will gather input from landlords, hoteliers, and business owners. The move follows a decision announced last month by Andy Burnham to cut business rates by 20% for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues in England starting in April.
The BBC Business notes pub groups have argued that they face disproportionately high rates bills, while other businesses have called for broader reform of the business rates system. The British Beer and Pub Association said 161 pubs closed in the first three months of the year across England, Scotland, and Wales, which it linked to the loss of around 2,400 jobs.
The BBPA said pubs are valued differently for rates than retail venues, with calculations based on Fair Maintainable Trade, rather than just floor area, so higher turnover can raise rates bills. James Murray, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the review will look at a rethink of valuations to build a fairer system, with the next rates revaluation scheduled for 2029.