Coronavirus retail discount

Coronavirus retail discount

In a speech delivered to the House of Commons on 17^th March 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that all businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors would receive a discount of 100% from their business rates irrespective of their rateable value.

Businesses who meet the criteria set out in the Council's adopted guidance will be eligible for a discount.

This follows The Council's decision for determining an application for discretionary expanded retail discount.

If you are currently in receipt of retail discount or pubs discount on your most recent business rates bill, please do not make a payment.

If you were due to pay your business rates bill by direct debit, there is no need to cancel your direct debit. The Council will not request this direct debit.

The Council has identified properties that will qualify under the expanded usage and criteria and all businesses entitled to a discount will receive new bills stating their discount entitlement by 27/03/20.

State aid

Whilst the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the Government and the EU provides that during a transition period state aid rules will continue to apply and will be subject to control by the EU Commission

The Government’s assessment is that, given the impact of Covid-19 in the sectors receiving the relief, the business rates expanded retail, leisure and hospitality discount 2020-21 is not a state aid.

The Government has considered this matter in discussions with the European Commission and is content with this analysis on the basis of those discussions.

Discount Confirmations

You may have received a letter from the Council asking you to complete the State Aid De Minimis Declaration Form on the Council’s website.

Following the Government’s advice (above), you are no longer required to complete a state aid de minimis declaration form and the form has now been removed from our website.

For further information from the Government on the administration of Expanded Retail Discount, visit the Government’s website.