23 July 2026
Bira has called for wider business rates relief for the high street. It comes after pubs, clubs and live music venues were handed a further 20% cut.
Bira said other high street businesses have been left behind.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced today (July 23) that pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will get a 20% reduction in their business rates bills. It takes effect from April 2027. The cut comes on top of the 15% relief already announced.
Downing Street said it could save a typical pub an estimated £1,100 in tax next year. Nearly 32,000 venues will benefit. The cut is expected to cost around £100 million. It will be funded through a review of reliefs given to other businesses such as vape shops. It will not apply to the very largest live music venues.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "Once again pubs, clubs and music venues are being given special treatment on business rates. This follows the discount they were given after last year's disastrous changes to the system. My question is straightforward. What about the rest of the high street, when other businesses have seen a 15 per cent increase this year and their business rates bill more than double since 2024? If the Prime Minister is serious about revitalising high streets, he cannot only support pubs in this way. Seventeen thousand shops closed in 2025, plus many thousands of jobs lost, and that number will keep rising if these businesses continue to be overlooked."
The announcement is the Prime Minister's third policy move in as many days. Most bus fares in England were capped at £2 from January. VAT on household electricity bills will be cut from October.
Bira's advocacy takes your voice to the heart of Parliament
Bira is at the forefront of championing the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain.
Our campaigns cover a wide spectrum of issues crucial to the success of independent traders including:
- Combatting the rising tide of retail crime
- Advocating for changes in legislation that promote fairness and flexibility
- Fighting for fairer business rates
- Overall reducing the regulatory burden
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