Retail discount

In the Autumn Budget 2018, the Government announced a one-third discount for eligible retail businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000, up to state aid limits. This scheme will run for two years from April 2019. This discount will be applied to the bill after the application of any reliefs, excluding any local discounts. In a Written Ministerial Statement on 27 January 2020, the Government announced it would extend the value of the Retail Discount from one third of the bill to 50% in 2020/21. This relief will apply to occupied retail properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 in the year 2020/21.

At the Budget on 03 March 2021, the Chancellor announced that the Government would provide additional business rates support for eligible retail, hospitality, leisure, and nursery businesses in England occupying a qualifying property.

As a temporary measure for 2021/22 he announced that:

• The Expanded Retail Discount (2020/21) will be extended for three months for eligible properties, at 100% relief, uncapped, for the period 01 April 2021 to 30 June 2021.
• From 01 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, the Expanded Retail Discount would apply at 66% relief for eligible properties in the scheme, with a cash cap of £2m for businesses that were required to close as at 05 January 2021, and up to £105,000 for business permitted to open at that date.
• The Nursery Discount 2021 would also be extended for three months, at 100%, uncapped, for the period 01 April 2021 to 30 June 2021.
• From 01 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 the Nursery Discount would apply at 66% relief for eligible properties, with a cash cap of £105,000.
• For the Expanded Retail Discount 2021/22 and Nursery Discount 2021/22, businesses may choose to opt out of support by providing billing authorities notification of their request to refuse support, per eligible business rated premises.

To make a Cash Cap Declaration, or to refuse the Expanded Retail Relief discount, please download, complete and submit either the PDF or Word form below: 

• Expanded Retail Discount Cash Cap Declaration Form (PDF) [140KB] (opens new window)
• Expanded Retail Discount Cash Cap Declaration Form (Word doc) [54KB] (opens new window)

The Government has issued guidance on the operation of the scheme, which can be found at GOV.UK: Business rates: expanded retail discount - guidance (opens new window).

This relief will be delivered through local authority discretionary discount powers (under section 47(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988). Further information can be obtained from the local authority.

You can  Apply for Rural Rate relief (PDF) [255KB] (opens new window)  if your business is in a rural area with a population below 3,000 and is the only village shop or post office with a rateable value of up to £8,500 or the only public house or petrol station with a rateable value of up to £12,500.

GOV.UK also has useful information on business rates and business rates reliefs (opens new window).