Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year

Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.

Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.

It’s expected that these 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.

“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.

These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.

The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules. 

I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.

I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.

They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.

— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 23, 2026

“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way. 

“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.

Read more:

• Andy Burnham extends Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England
• Government to slash prices of cinema tickets, bus travel, and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer
• Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter

“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”

Featured Image – Alex Bracken (via Unsplash)