Government to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues | Christie & Co comment
Following the announcement of a 20% business rates reduction for pubs, clubs and music venues in England, Stephen Owens, Managing Director - Pubs & Restaurants at Christie & Co, reflects on the news.
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On Thursday 23rd July 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that pubs, clubs and live music venues in England are to receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills from April 2027.
The government's statement says that the new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year. The move forms part of a series of measures to cut costs for working people and communities, including electricity bill VAT relief and £2 bus fare cap announced earlier this week.
Stephen Owens, Managing Director – Pubs & Restaurants at Christie & Co, commented:
"The announcement of a 20% business rates reduction for pubs, clubs and music venues in England from April will be welcomed by operators across the hospitality sector. At a time when businesses continue to face significant cost pressures, any measure that helps ease the financial burden on venues that play such a vital role in our communities and local economies is a positive step.
"While the savings for individual businesses may be modest in the context of wider operating costs, the move is an encouraging acknowledgement of the challenges operators are navigating and the contribution hospitality businesses make to high streets across the country.
"The industry will now look for this support to be accompanied by longer-term reform of the business rates system, alongside consideration of the wider hospitality sector, including restaurants, cafés and hotels, as we await further details to be set out at the Budget.”
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