In 2026-27, the Welsh Government will provide additional targeted non-domestic rates support for pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars and live music venues. Businesses will be eligible for 15% off their liability for the financial year. The amount of relief will be capped at £110,000 per business across Wales.
View guidance on the Business Wales Website (opens in new tab)
To apply, please complete the online form below:
Application Form: Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief 2026/27 (opens in new tab)
NOTE:
Applications must be made within the financial year. The scheme will close on the 31 March 2027.
Most businesses now qualify for full relief (100%) and others to lower rates of relief (reduced on a tapered basis to zero). The sum of relief is dependant on ratable value thresholds up to a maximum ratable value of £12,000. The table below gives examples of different levels of relief:
| Rateable Value | % Relief |
|---|---|
| 0 - 6,000 | 100 |
| 7,000 | 83.4 |
| 8,000 | 66.6 |
| 9,000 | 50 |
| 10,000 | 33.3 |
| 11,000 | 16.6 |
| 12,000 | Nil |
There is more information on the Welsh Government website (opens in new tab)
If you are uncertain of the level of relief applicable to your business, to discuss revised payment arrangements, or for general information about rate relief, please contact us using the contact details below:
- Phone: (01286) 682772 or (01286) 682709
- E-mail: trethiannomestig@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
- Address: Taxation Service, Council Offices, Stryd y Jêl, Caernarfon, Gwynedd,
LL55 1SH.
Relief scheme for charitable and not for profit organisations operational from the 1 April 2018 effective from the 1 April 2019.
The Council must give 12 months notification of any change to existing relief already granted.
(Please note categories for discretionary relief for specific organisations have been removed – National Trust, RSPCA, RSPB, Housing Associations)
If a property is unoccupied, there is no need to pay business rates for the first 3 months. Factories and warehouses are exempt for 6 months.
You don’t have to pay business rates on empty properties if:
- the rateable value is under £2,600
- it is a listed building
- the owner is bankrupt
- there is a legal prohibition from occupying the building
Partly occupied properties
If part of a property is unoccupied and will remain so for a short period, the Council can ask the Valuation Office for an apportionment of the rateable value and therefore charge rates on the occupied part.
The Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for transitional relief for small businesses adversely impacted by the revaluation of non-domestic hereditaments taking effect from 1 April 2026.
The increase in the amount payable must be over £300.
The ratepayer must have been liable prior to the 1 April 2026, any new ratepayer for the property will not be eligible for the relief.
The property must not be receiving a temporary reduction under section 44A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
The ratepayer will pay a percentage of the increase as follows:-
- Year 1 – 33%
- Year 2 - 66%
- Year 3 – no transitional relief
Further details can be found on the Business Wales (opens in new tab) website.
Relief from paying non-domestic rates could amount to state aid. It is lawful where it is provided in accordance with the Commission Regulation (EU) 1407/2013 on de minimis aid. The de minimis regulation allows an undertaking to receive up to €200,000 ‘de minimis’ aid over a rolling three year period. If you are receiving, or have received, any ‘de minimis’ aid granted during the current or two previous financial years (from any source), you should inform the billing authority immediately with details of the aid received.
It's possible to apply for business rates for a self-catering property in Wales.