What is Retail Relief?
The Welsh Government has provided councils with funding for a “High Street Rates Relief” scheme to operate for the financial year 2018-19. It will be available from the 1st of April 2018 until 31st of March 2019. The maximum funding available is £750.This relief is aimed at high street retailers in Wales, for example, shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. This scheme is designed to help retailers that have seen their rates increase as a result of the recent revaluation exercise carried out by the Valuation Office Agency.
There will be two tiers of non-domestic rates relief available to eligible high street retailers occupying premises with a rateable value of £50,000 or less, in the financial year 2018-19, subject to State Aid limits. There will be up to £250 available for Tier 1 and up to £750 for Tier 2.
Tier 1 - Maximum £250
• The Rateable Value is between £6,001 and £12,000*
• The property is occupied for retail purposes as at 31 March 2018 (and same occupier continues to be in occupation on 1 April 2018)
• In receipt of small business rates relief and/or transitional relief on 1 April 2018
• The maximum amount of relief is £250 within financial year 2018-19
• Any sum of this award and any other funding must be less than the state aid de minimis (currently 200,000 Euros over a three year period)
Please note, there will be a small number of ratepayers with a rateable value of £12,000 or above who are in receipt of Transitional Relief. These ratepayers will also qualify for Tier 1 relief.
Tier 2 - £750
• The Rateable Value is between £12,001 and £50,000
• The property is occupied for retail purposes as at 31 March 2018 and the same occupier continues to be in occupation on 1 April 2018)
• Not in receipt of small business rates relief or transitional relief on 1 April 2018 and have an increase in your liability on the 1 April 2018
• Any sum of this award and any other funding must be less than the state aid de minimis (currently 200,000 Euros over a three year period
If your rates payable are less than the amount of relief to be awarded, you will only be awarded up to that balance
What is considered to be a High Street Retailer?
It is intended that, for the purposes of this scheme, high street properties are such properties as, shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.
Relief is specifically designed to support retailers that operate in town and village centres. Properties located in out of town retail parks, out of town shopping centres, and industrial estates are ineligible for this relief.
Exclusions
There are other types of properties where the ratepayer will be excluded from high street rate relief. These are as follows:
• The property is not occupied on 1 April 2018
• The Property is not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public
• The property is in receipt of mandatory charitable relief (80%)
In accordance with the Welsh Government guidance, the Council will deem that the types of uses listed below (or those similar in use) are not considered to be High Street retailers and therefore, they will also be excluded.
• Financial Services
• Medical services (e.g. vets, dentists, doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors)
• Professional services (e.g. solicitors, accountants, insurance agents
• Tourism accommodation such as B&Bs, hotel accommodation and & caravan sites
• Day nurseries & Children’s play centres
• Outdoor activity centres & gyms
• Kennels and catteries
• Show homes and marketing suites
• Employment agencies
To apply for this relief, please complete our online form.