Business Rates
We provide essential coverage of business rates policy and reform, and how it impacts operators across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector. From government relief schemes and revaluation updates to lobbying efforts led by UKHospitality and industry coalitions, this captures the key developments influencing site viability and cost pressures. Whether you run a single high-street restaurant or oversee a multi-site pub or catering group, we explain how changes to the business rates system affect your bottom line, and what you need to know to plan ahead.
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Jan- 2026 -29 JanuaryPubs and Bars
Nightlife Taskforce report sets out roadmap for London after dark
The London Nightlife Taskforce has proposed 23 recommendations to protect and grow the night-time sector, having published a report that draws on research and data from 3,000 Londoners. The report highlighted that nightlife contributes more than £139bn to the economy and supports over one million workers. In light of this,…
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27 JanuaryPubs and Bars
Reeves to hand pubs £300m bailout but restaurants and hotels to miss out
Rachel Reeves is reportedly set to hand UK pubs a £300m bailout package to help fight off bankruptcies within the sector, however embattled restaurants and hotels are set to miss out, according to The Times. Reports suggest the chancellor could make the announcement as soon as later today (Tuesday 27…
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26 JanuaryPubs and Bars
Reeves expected to only offer temporary support for pubs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly expected to reject calls for permanent business rates reform and instead offer temporary financial support to the pub industry, according to the Telegraph. The anticipated package follows warnings that local venues face a significant increase in business rates when Covid-era reliefs are withdrawn in April. …
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22 JanuaryBusiness
Welsh hospitality sector faces £122m business rates increase
Welsh hospitality businesses face a £122m increase in business rates over the next three years following the latest Welsh Budget (20 January), according to analysis by UKHospitality Cymru. The trade body has warned that the sector’s tax bill will rise by 63% during this period, and believes that this increase…
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21 JanuaryPubs and Bars
JD Wetherspoon warns of profit hit despite strong Christmas
JD Wetherspoon has reported that like-for-like sales rose by 4.7% in the 25 weeks to 18 January, with growth accelerating in the second quarter of the year, but anticipates that rising costs will push profits below last year’s levels as costs have risen by £45m. During the half-year period, bar…
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20 JanuaryBusiness
Hospitality sector loses almost 9,000 jobs in December
The hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025 compared with the previous month, according to the Office for National Statistics. The data also reveals the industry employed 20,014 fewer people in December 2025 than in September 2025. The decline occurred during the festive season, a period when businesses…
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13 JanuaryTrade Associations
UKH warns of over 2,000 closures without business rates relief
More than 2,000 hospitality venues could close over the coming year unless the government introduces sector-wide relief on business rates, according to new analysis from UKHospitality. The trade body said modelling suggests 2,076 closures in 2026, equivalent to around six venues a day, driven by sharp increases in business rates…
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12 JanuaryTrade Associations
NTIA warns business rates relief must extend beyond pubs
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned that proposed business rates relief must apply across the night-time economy, amid concerns that government support may be limited to pubs. According to industry figures, suggestions that pubs alone could benefit from forthcoming reductions ignored the wider ecosystem of venues operating at…
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9 JanuaryPubs and Bars
Govt set to soften business rates rises for pubs in England
The government has announced changes to reduce planned increases in business rates for pubs in England, following sustained pressure from landlords and industry groups. Ministers are understood to be preparing adjustments to how business rates for pubs are calculated, a move that would lead to smaller increases in bills than…
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8 JanuaryBreweries and Distilleries
Belhaven invests nearly £5m in Scottish pubs as business rates warning looms
Belhaven invested almost £5m in its Scottish pub estate in 2025, with spending spread across 22 managed, leased, tenanted and franchised venues. The investment marked a fourfold increase in refurbishment activity compared with previous years and included the first Scottish rollout of the brewer and pub operator’s Hive and Nest…
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