Hundreds of Sefton businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors could save thousands of pounds on their rates bills this year.
Sefton Council has announced an extension of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme for the forthcoming 2025/26 financial year.
It is currently estimated that in the region of 1,200 Sefton business rate payers will qualify for relief under the scheme.
The total relief for firms across the borough is estimated to amount to £3,854,988 in 2025-26.
It could see an occupied shop with a rateable value of £100,000 having to pay a £33,300 in rates once the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief discount is applied, rather than paying gross rates of £55,500 – a saving of £22,200.
Information about the scheme will be published on the Sefton Council website and included in detailed guidance published online.
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief will be applied automatically to each eligible ratepayer’s bill without the need for an application. Ratepayers that occupy more than one property will be entitled to relief for each of their eligible properties
Businesses that will benefit from the relief will those wholly or mainly being used as: shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.
There will be a cap of £110,000.
In a report, Sefton Council’s Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Commercial said:
“In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government wished to support businesses in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors from 2020-21 through to 2024-25. The relief has been extended each year since to support business in those sectors.
“In light of ongoing economic pressures due to high energy bills and cost of living issues, the Government announced the extension of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief (RHL) of 40% into 2025/26. Relief awarded under this scheme will be funded by the Government through the Section 31 grant.
“There are no financial implications for Sefton Council as Central Government will fully reimburse the actual cost of the Retail Discounts.
“It is estimated that the total amount of relief to be awarded in 2025-26 is £3,854,988.”
All eligible businesses will be notified of the extension to the scheme for the 2025-26 rate period before 31 March 2025.
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