High street retailers, pharmacies, music venues and leisure operators are pressing Chancellor Rachel Reeves to rethink planned increases to business rates, warning that focusing support solely on pubs would leave many other sectors facing severe financial strain. While the government is expected to soften the impact of the hikes for pubs in England, other businesses say they are being unfairly excluded.
Pub owners have mounted a high-profile backlash against the changes, with hundreds barring Labour MPs from their premises in protest. The proposed increases follow the scaling back of post-pandemic business rates relief, which fell from 75% to 40% and is due to end entirely from April, alongside higher rateable values for many properties. The BBC understands any imminent concession will apply only to pubs, not the wider hospitality industry.
Industry bodies argue that approach is too narrow. Retailers, cafés and restaurants say they face similar pressures from rising costs and falling footfall. Representatives from hotels, live music venues, gyms and pharmacies have also warned of sharp increases in their rates bills, with some predicting higher prices, job losses and service cuts if no further help is offered.
Business groups and MPs from across Parliament have criticised the current system, calling it outdated and in need of wholesale reform rather than piecemeal fixes. While Reeves has said she wants to support pubs and high streets, and is in talks with affected sectors, campaigners argue that without broader relief many community businesses could be pushed to the brink.
