Nearly 900 local businesses will once again be eligible for business rates support after Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to adopt Welsh Government’s Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme for the next financial year.

Eligible businesses will benefit from a reduction of 40% off their business rates bill. The total amount of relief available is £110,000 across all properties occupied by the same business throughout Wales.

The business must be in the retail, leisure, hospitality or tourism sectors, for example shops, markets, pharmacies, opticians, pubs and restaurants, gyms, performance venues and hotels.

Businesses that aren’t eligible include casinos, kennels and catteries, day nurseries and medical and financial services. A detailed eligibility criteria is available on the Welsh Government website.

The scheme is fully funded by Welsh Government and will be available from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025.

This significant investment from Welsh Government will ensure that continued support is available for a range of businesses during these challenging economic times.

The council are not responsible for setting business rates, but local authorities administer this vital support on behalf of Welsh Government.

I would like to encourage all businesses to check their eligibility and to make sure they don’t miss out on this welcome assistance.

Cllr Hywel Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Legal

Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria must apply for this rate relief online by visiting the council’s website from 1 April 2024.