There are two significant changes to the business rates scheme from 1 April 2026:
- a revaluation of rateable values
- introduction of a new multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties and for properties with a rateable value of over £500,000
Business Rates Revaluation 2026
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has updated the rateable values it holds for all non‑domestic properties across England and Wales.
The updated rateable values will come into effect from 1st April 2026.
What is a revaluation?
Every three years, the VOA reviews the rateable values of non‑domestic properties across England and Wales. From 1 April 2026 your rateable value is the VOA’s estimate of your property’s rental value on 1st April 2024. This process reflects changes in the property rental market.
The rateable value is used to calculate your business rates bill, by applying a standard percentage or ‘multiplier’.
Transitional Relief scheme
If your bill increases from 1st April 2026 because of revaluation, the increase will be limited to a certain percentage. The amount of this percentage will depend on your rateable value.
Maximum increases from 1 April 2026
| Rateable value (from 1 April 2026) | 2026 to 2027 | 2027 to 2028 | 2028 to 2029 |
| £20,000 or less | 5% | 10% plus inflation | 25% plus inflation |
| £20,001 to £100,000 | 15% | 25% plus inflation | 40% plus inflation |
| Over £100,000 | 30% | 25% plus inflation | 25% plus inflation |
A 1p Transitional Relief Supplement will be added to the relevant business rates multiplier (not tax rate) for ratepayers who neither receive Transitional Relief nor are not eligible for Supporting Small Business Scheme to help fund Transitional Relief.
The 1p in the £ supplement will show on all bills, but is then offset within the Transitional Relief or Supporting Small Businesses Relief calculation.
This will apply for one year from 1 April 2026.
You do not need to contact the Council to request Transitional Relief. It will be applied automatically and shown on the front of your bill.
Extra support for businesses during the 2026 revaluation
The Government is providing extra support for businesses affected by the 2026 revaluation:
- Supporting Small Business Scheme – extra help for businesses losing Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief
- New 10-year relief for electric vehicle charging points
- Grace period for small businesses expanding into a second property extended to 3 years
You can find out more details about the changes, including how they might affect your bill, on GOV.UK.
Changes to Business Rates Multipliers from 1st April 2026
From April 2026, the Government will introduce new business rates multipliers. Its purpose is to create a more modern system that supports investment and protects the high street. These will reflect both business type and property value. If your business is in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors, you may receive a lower multiplier from April 2026.
The new system of five new multipliers will replace the current system which uses two multipliers. Details of the current scheme can be found at How Business Rates are calculated.
Business rates multipliers for 2026/27
| Category and Rateable Value (RV) | 2026-27 Multiplier (pence per pound) |
| Small business retail, hospitality and leisure, RV below £51,000 | 38.2p |
| Small business multiplier (other sectors), RV below £51,000 | 43.2p |
| Standard retail, hospitality and leisure, RV £51,000 - £499,999 | 43.0p |
| Standard multiplier (other sectors), RV £51,000 - £499,999 | 48.0p |
| High-value multiplier, all properties, RV £500,000 and above | 50.8p |
How we are preparing and how you can help
Our property database is being reviewed to make sure the correct retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers are applied to the relevant businesses. If you receive an email or letter from us asking for more information, please see our business rates property review page
Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
Bury Council sends your business rates bill, but the VOA sets your property’s value. If you have questions about your rateable value, please contact the VOA.