The Government have now published more detail around the rates relief announced recently.

See the attached. The relief has now been extended to estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls too.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875613/Expanded_Retail_Discount_Guidance_25.03.20.doc.pdf

Rishi Sunak commented:

“We are determined to do whatever it takes to support businesses during Covid-19, which is why we have extended business rates relief for the high street.

Today, I am removing some the exclusions for this relief, so that retail, leisure, and hospitality properties that have closed as a result of the measures announced by the Prime Minister in his statement on Monday will now be eligible for the relief.

This will ensure that estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls that are required to close will not pay any business rates next year”.

It is good news for many but the relief does not apply to empty commercial premises which still have to pay the full empty rates charges.

–  ENDS  –

For further information contact:

Howard Elliott
Baker Davidson Thomas
E-mail:  howard.elliott@bdt.uk.com
Telephone:  01256 840 777

26^th March 2020