Pubs and live venues relief
A new business rates relief package for pubs and live music venues in response to concerns about significant rate increases following the 2026 revaluation. The measure is intended to help support these businesses through rising costs and to protect jobs and community venues.
What the relief provides
The support package includes the following key measures:
- 15% business rates relief for eligible pubs and live music venues in 2026 2027 - will apply on top of other reliefs such as transitional relief and Supporting Small Business Relief.
- Business rates increases will be capped at inflation for the 2027 - 2028 and 2028 - 2029 financial years.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for this relief, a pub must meet a set of conditions that define it as such for business rates purposes, including:
- Open access to the general public.
- Free entry (other than for occasional entertainment).
- Drinks available at a bar without a requirement to purchase food.
- Certain premises are not eligible, including restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, snack bars, hotels, and theatres.
If you think you qualify for the pubs and live music venue reliefs but we haven't awarded it to you automatically in your annual bill for 2026 - 2027, we will publish a form before the annual bills go out that will allow you to query this with us.
How it works with other reliefs
The relief will be applied automatically after any other reliefs the business is entitled to (for example, transitional relief and Supporting Small Business Relief).
