We are calling on the Government to act to extend further support to local shops to mitigate increases in business rates bills coming in April 2026.
Throughout 2025, ACS called on the Treasury to use the full extent of its powers to introduce a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure multiplier that was 20p lower than the normal rates to offset the loss of discounts introduced in previous years. In the Budget in November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced multipliers that were just 5p lower than standard, leaving local shops, Post Offices and other essential community businesses facing increased bills in April and even larger increases in the coming years.
Polling of UK consumers has consistently shown that the three services that people believe are the most essential and have the most positive impact on their local area are Post Offices, convenience stores and pharmacies. These are all businesses that are facing enormous challenges, including four figure increases in rates bills, and ACS has urged the Government not to leave them out in the cold when allocating additional funding to support high streets.
Modelling of the business rates increases coming in 2026 has found that independent retailers, and particularly those operating on petrol forecourts, are set to be hardest hit by changes to rates bills despite the new RHL multiplier and transitional relief packages. Some stores are facing increases of several thousands of pounds in April, despite what was announced in the Budget.
