Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics. Photograph: Richard Pohle/ReutersBusiness ratesBusiness rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say criticsHospitality businesses call on Andy Burnham to cut VAT and extend help to hotels and restaurants.
Image source PA MediaByHenry Zeffman Chief political correspondent and Archie Mitchell Business reporterPublished23 July 2026 09:48 BSTUpdated 2 hours agoPubs social clubs and live music venues in England will be given a 20% cut to business rates from April.
Details
Pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20% discount on their business rates bills as part of a £100m aid package but Andy Burnham has immediately faced calls to be more ambitious.
The business rates cut will benefit almost 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, according to the government, with the typical pub expected to save an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
The measure builds on the 15% business rates relief for pubs and live music venues announced by Rachel Reeves this year, as Covid-era relief ended and new revaluations took effect, with bills frozen in real terms for a further two years.
Tim Martin, the outspoken founder of the JD Wetherspoon pub chain, said business rates relief was “a small move in the right direction” but called on Burnham to make the cut in VAT.
Photograph: Richard Pohle/ReutersThe new chancellor, John Healey, said the government remained committed to overhauling the wider business rates system, including relief for small businesses, at the budget.
“We are encouraged at the signal from the prime minister today, instructing his government to plan for a significant increase in small business rates relief at the heart of the next budget.
This would deliver on promises made campaigning for the role, and fix the damage caused by business rates decisions that sent bills up and are holding back [small and medium-sized enterprise] growth and jobs in every postcode.”.
Separately, The business rates discount will not apply to the "very largest" live music venues.
Statements
«This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that’s what we will do.»
Available information indicates that The business rates discount will not apply to the "very largest" live music venues.
Under the current tax reliefs for pubs and live music venues, local authorities are left to decide which venues are eligible for business rates relief "where eligibility is unclear", but nightclubs are specifically excluded in that guidance.
His pubs have previously missed out on government business rates support, and "the increases were so huge last year that now we're sort of chipping away at some of those increases".
Separately, Following criticism from the hospitality industry, the government cut business rates for pubs and music venues by 15% earlier in 2026.
The change to business rates for some hospitality firms is the latest move in what Burnham hopes will provide "breathing space" for people and businesses.
Available information indicates that The change to business rates for some hospitality firms is the latest move in what Burnham hopes will provide "breathing space" for people and businesses.
FSB policy chief Tina McKenzie said the plans were encouraging and fix the damage caused by past business rates decisions which are "holding back small business growth and jobs in every postcode".
Early reporting on Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics focuses on the verified facts and the broader implications for the story.
On the related details, Pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20% discount on their business rates bills as part of a £100m aid package but Andy Burnham has immediately faced calls to be more ambitious, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
On the related details, The business rates cut will benefit almost 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, according to the government, with the typical pub expected to save an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
On the related details, The measure builds on the 15% business rates relief for pubs and live music venues announced by Rachel Reeves this year, as Covid-era relief ended and new revaluations took effect, with bills frozen in real terms for a further two years, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
On the related details, Tim Martin, the outspoken founder of the JD Wetherspoon pub chain, said business rates relief was “a small move in the right direction” but called on Burnham to make the cut in VAT, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
On the related details, Photograph: Richard Pohle/ReutersThe new chancellor, John Healey, said the government remained committed to overhauling the wider business rates system, including relief for small businesses, at the budget, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
On the related details, “We are encouraged at the signal from the prime minister today, instructing his government to plan for a significant increase in small business rates relief at the heart of the next budget, clarifying the wider picture around Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England only ‘a small move’, say critics.
