More than 12,800 shops and chain outlets closed on the UK’s high streets, shopping centres and retail parks in 2024 alone – equivalent to 35 closures every day, according to PwC’s annual Store Openings and Closures report. Business rates aren’t the only reason town centres are struggling, but they’re consistently named as one of the biggest fixed costs squeezing already thin margins. If you run a small or medium-sized business anywhere in Kent, UK business rates are probably somewhere on your list of concerns for the year ahead, and there’s genuine movement to report.

On 23 July 2026, the government announced a fresh cut to business rates for qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure premises alongside a promise to reform the wider system at the Autumn Budget on 28 October. Here’s what’s confirmed so far, what’s still to come, and what it means if you run a business in Kent.

What’s already locked in for uk business rates in 2026/27

Before getting to the new announcement, it’s worth recapping where UK business rates already stand this year, since several changes took effect from April 2026 following the property revaluation.

The old two-tier multiplier system was replaced with five tiers, based on property type and rateable value, with the lowest rates reserved for smaller retail, hospitality and leisure properties. At Budget 2025, the Chancellor also announced a permanent 5p cut to the multipliers for over 750,000 such properties, funded by a higher rate on the most expensive 1% of properties. Alongside this, £4.3 billion of transitional support capped bill increases at 15% for most businesses, or £800 for the smallest, as the new rateable values took effect.

If you haven’t checked your rateable value or your eligibility for Small Business Rates Relief since the revaluation, it’s worth doing so – relief tapers from 100% at £12,000 rateable value down to zero at £15,000, and it’s one more moving part in an increasingly complex picture for growing businesses.

A fresh cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues

The most recent announcement builds specifically on support for hospitality venues. Pubs, social clubs and live music venues already benefit from a 15% relief on their 2026/27 bills, announced back in January, with those bills then frozen in real terms for a further two years.

From April 2027, that support increases again: a further 20% cut to business rates bills for eligible venues, which the government estimates will save the typical pub around £1,100 next year. Nearly 32,000 venues are set to benefit, though the very largest live music venues will be excluded, with full eligibility details due at the Budget.

If you run a pub, club or venue in Dartford, Sevenoaks, Gravesend or Canterbury, it’s worth flagging this with whoever manages your property costs now, even though the saving doesn’t land until the 2027/28 bill.

How the changes are being paid for

The government says the support is fully funded, partly by reviewing reliefs given to businesses it considers make a less positive contribution to local high streets, with vape shops specifically named, and partly through tighter VAT compliance on online marketplace sellers.

What to watch for at the 2026 autumn budget

Both the July announcement and the January pub relief are explicitly described by the government as a first step. It has committed to returning to reform the wider business rates system, including Small Business Rates Relief, at the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026 – Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget since taking over at the Treasury.

For most Kent SMEs outside hospitality, this is the date that matters most. Nothing has yet been confirmed about changes to the general Small Business Rates Relief thresholds, but given the government’s stated intent, it’s sensible to expect further detail in October rather than assume the current rules will hold for the rest of the parliament.

What this means for your business

• Check your property’s rateable value and confirm you’re claiming every relief you’re entitled to

• If you run a pub, club or live music venue, factor the 2027/28 saving into next year’s forecasting, but don’t rely on it for this year’s cash flow

• Keep an eye on 28 October, when we’ll know more about wider reform to UK business rates

We’ll cover the Autumn Budget in detail once the announcements land. In the meantime, if UK business rates already form a significant part of your costs, or you’d simply like a proper financial review of where your money’s going, get in touch.

Contact Adams Accountancy today for a free, no-obligation chat about your business rates position, or call us on 01322 250001 or complete our contact form. No question is too silly when it comes to understanding your business costs.

About the author

Michelle Adams is a qualified accountant and director at Adams Accountancy, a friendly accountancy practice based in Dartford, Kent. With over 15 years of experience helping sole traders, small businesses and limited companies across Kent and beyond, Michelle keeps a close eye on government announcements so her clients don’t have to, translating policy changes into practical next steps.

Frequently asked questions

When does the new 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues take effect?

The additional 20% cut applies from April 2027, affecting bills for the 2027/28 tax year. It comes on top of the 15% relief already confirmed for 2026/27.

Will the Autumn Budget 2026 change UK business rates for all small businesses, not just hospitality?

The government has committed to reforming the wider business rates system, including Small Business Rates Relief, at the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026. No specific changes for non-hospitality sectors have been confirmed yet, so it’s worth watching for announcements on the day.

What is Small Business Rates Relief and who qualifies?

Small Business Rates Relief reduces or removes business rates for eligible properties in England, with 100% relief available for a rateable value of £12,000 or below, tapering to zero at £15,000. It generally applies if you occupy only one property, or one main property plus additional properties each valued below £2,900.

When is the Autumn Budget 2026?

The Autumn Budget will take place on Wednesday 28 October 2026, delivered by Chancellor John Healey. It’s expected to include further detail on business rates reform beyond the pub, club and live music venue cuts already announced.