Businesses encouraged to apply to the Back in Business scheme

Back in Business scheme offers businesses a 50% rates discount for up to two years if they occupy a vacant shop unit

The Back in Business scheme offers 50% rate relief for up to two years when empty premises become occupied. The concession applies to any business ratepayer who moves into premises, which were previously used for retail purposes and have been unoccupied for 12 months or more.

Through the scheme businesses will have certainty over their rates bill for two years.

Eligibility

To benefit from the scheme you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• you or your tenant's occupancy of the business premises must have started on or after 1 April 2022
• the business premises you or your tenant now occupy were previously vacant for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date you occupied the property
• the business premises was previously valued for rates and used for retail purposes, or;
• if premises were never occupied you may still be entitled if the premises could reasonably have been used for retail purposes.

“Retail purposes” means the retail provision of goods or services to members of the public who visit the property.

How to apply

The owner or occupier of the applicant business premises must apply. The easiest way to apply is through the online application form. But if you can't apply online you can download the application form and post or email it back to Land & Property Services.

For full details see Back in Business rate support.

First published 19 October 2022