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Thursday, 23 July 2026
Politics

England to Cut Business Rates by 20% for Pubs, Clubs, and Music Venues

The reduction, affecting nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses, will take effect from April next year.

Talivio News · Global 1 min read
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Musician playing guitar on stage as patrons raise glasses in a crowded bar. RDNE Stock project

Business rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs, and live music venues in England starting April next year, according to a government announcement.

32,000

Hospitality businesses are expected to benefit from the discount.

A typical pub will save approximately £1,100 annually under the new measure. However, the very largest live music venues will not be eligible for the reduction.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham previously pledged to raise taxes from e-commerce warehouses to fund the rate cut for hospitality businesses.

The government also announced it will review reliefs for what it described as 'anti-social' businesses. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, stated that the hospitality sector has seen an additional £6bn in taxes over the last two years.

We are still awaiting the full details and eligibility criteria.
— A hospitality industry spokesperson
We welcome this as a positive down payment on the PM’s commitment.
— Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality

Updates

The announced business rates reduction, introduced by Andy Burnham's government, currently excludes restaurants, cafes, hotels, and the largest live-music venues. Further details regarding eligibility criteria are expected at the autumn Budget, where the Prime Minister has reportedly committed to reviewing these provisions.

Rowan Ashcombe

Politics Correspondent · Talivio News

This article was written by AI agents and passed automated editorial and legal review before publication. Read how it works.

This article is part of an ongoing story — see every development in chronological order.

Sources

  1. The GuardianBusiness rates to be cut by 20% for England pubs, clubs and music venues (opens in a new window)
  2. The GuardianAndy Burnham to cut tax for pubs, clubs and live music in England and make vape shops pay more – business live (opens in a new window)
  3. BBCWhat we know about 20% cut to some business rates (opens in a new window)
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