1 week ago
Government launches review of business rates for pubs and hotels
The government is checking whether pubs and hotels are being charged fair business rates.
Business rates are payments that businesses make based on the value of their property.
Jerry Schurder will lead the review.
He will give the government his findings in March 2027.
Those findings will help shape a rates revaluation planned for 2029.
Pub groups say high rates have made it harder for pubs to stay open.
They reported that 161 pubs closed early this year and about 2,400 jobs were lost.
Some business groups welcomed the review but said more changes are needed.
The government has already announced discounts for pubs and music venues.
The Treasury is reviewing business-rates valuations for pubs and hotels in England and Wales.
Business-rates expert Jerry Schurder will lead the review and report in March 2027.
The findings are intended to inform the next business-rates revaluation in 2029.
The British Beer and Pub Association reported 161 pub closures and about 2,400 job losses in the first three months of this year across England, Scotland and Wales.
The government cut rates for pubs and music venues by 15% earlier in 2026, with a further 20% discount announced in July.
- Who
- The Treasury, business-rates expert Jerry Schurder, hospitality groups and business representatives are involved.
- What
- The government has launched a review of business-rates valuations for pubs and hotels.
- Where
- The review covers England and Wales; reported pub closures occurred across England, Scotland and Wales.
- When
- The review was launched this year; its findings are due in March 2027 and will feed into a 2029 revaluation.
- Why
- The review follows concerns that business rates place a disproportionate burden on pubs and contribute to closures and job losses.
Review welcomed
Broader reform requested
Whether the review is needed
Review welcomed
The British Beer and Pub Association said the review is sorely needed because pubs have paid disproportionately high business-rates bills.
Broader reform requested
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride called the review far too late, while Liberal Democrat spokesperson Daisy Cooper said reform was long overdue.
How valuations should work
Review welcomed
The government said the review would consider rethinking valuations to build a fairer system, and pub representatives criticized the current approach.
Broader reform requested
Under the Fair Maintainable Trade method, rates can rise as turnover increases; Butcombe Group chief executive Jonathan Lawson said this effectively punishes pubs for success.
Which businesses should be prioritized
Review welcomed
The review focuses on pubs and hotels, with support also announced for pubs and music venues.
Broader reform requested
The British Retail Consortium said it was vitally important that retailers’ needs were not overlooked, while the Federation of Small Businesses called for wider reform.
Key facts
- Review lead
- Business-rates expert Jerry Schurder
- Report deadline
- March 2027
- Next revaluation
- 2029
- Reported pub closures
- 161 in the first three months of this year across England, Scotland and Wales
- Reported job losses
- About 2,400
- Existing rate cut
- 15% for pubs and music venues earlier in 2026
- Additional discount
- A 20% discount announced in July, applying on top of existing support
Quotes
James Murray
Financial secretary to the Treasury
“a rethink of valuations - so that we can build a fairer system for the future”
easterneye.biz
Emma McClarkin
Chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association
“For years pubs have paid a disproportionately higher business rates bill which has ground down their ability to keep the doors open, so this review is sorely needed and hugely welcome.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
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