Treasury announced on Monday that it will review how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels, part of a broader effort to support town‑centre enterprises.
The review is framed as a move to improve fairness and transparency, giving operators clearer expectations for future planning. It will be informed by evidence gathered from landlords, brewers, hoteliers and other business owners.
Earlier this month Burnham unveiled a 20 percent cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and venues, slated to take effect from April 2027. The £100 million relief is being funded by tighter enforcement on businesses such as vape shops, which the government says do not contribute positively to local communities.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said the initiative builds on recent tax cuts for pubs, adding that a re‑think of valuations will create a "fairer system for the future". He highlighted the role of pubs and hotels in community cohesion and local growth.
To lead the independent review, the Treasury has appointed a "business rates guru", Jerry Schurder, a former policy lead at advisory firm Newmark UK. Schurder will assess whether current valuation methods remain fit for purpose and will incorporate stakeholder evidence into his recommendations, which are due by March 2027.
The government indicated that further reforms, including small‑business rates relief, could be outlined in the autumn Budget, with No 10 signalling a continued focus on easing the fiscal burden on the hospitality sector.