Business rates

Business rates are the way those who occupy non domestic buildings contribute to the cost of local services. They are also known as non-domestic rates. We collect these rates and keep a percentage. 

The business rate is calculated by multiplying the rateable value of property by the standard or small business rating multiplier. The government sets the rating multiplier. For 2020-2021 the multiplier rates are: 

• small business multiplier: 49.9p
• standard multiplier: 51.2p

The Valuation Office Agency assess the rateable value of a property. They usually revaluate every 5 years and the rateable value and multiplier are updated from this. The next Rating List is due to come into force on 1 April 2023. 

You can pay your business rates online and manage your account through OpenAshfield. 

Letting us know about starting and ending occupation

You can let us know when you start occupying premises, or when you end occupation using the forms in the related documents section of this web page. 

Completed forms should be returned by: 

• email: businessrates@ashfield.gov.uk

Business rates relief

There is extra help available for businesses due to coronavirus. The Rate Relief for Pubs has also been opened again for 2020/2021 (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021). 

You may be able to get help through one of the business rate relief schemes. We manage: 

• Small Business Rate Relief
• Rural Rate Relief
• Charitable Rate Relief
• Community Amateur Sports Club relief
• Hardship Relief
• Retail Discount
• Transitional Relief
• Local Newspaper Relief. 

For many of the schemes we will contact you if you are eligible and you do not have to apply. 

Empty or partially occupied properties

You do not have to pay business rates on empty properties for up to 3 months. There is more information on this and on extended relief on the Gov.UK website. 

If part of your property is not being used and is completely unoccupied we may be able to offer a reduction on your rates. You will need to write to us and show: 

• a detailed plan of the premises showing clearly which areas are currently occupied and which are unoccupied
• the date that the part-occupation commenced and when it is expected to cease
• the reason why the part-occupation became necessary
• whether there is any intention to sublet or sell the unoccupied area
• whether any machinery or equipment will be stored in this area
• any other information in support of your claim.

Exempt properties

Some types of property are exempt from paying business rates. These include: 

• farm land and agricultural buildings
• churches
• certain properties used by people with disabilities
• property situated within an Enterprise Zone, such as Sherwood Business Park
• public parks
• moveable moorings
• sewers. 

Latest business rates news

Business Rates: 2022/23 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme

As announced in the Budget on 27 October 2021, the 2022/23 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme will provide eligible, occupied, retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a 50% relief, up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business.

Qualifying businesses are those which are wholly or mainly being used:

1. as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas or live music venues
2. for assembly and leisure; or
3. as hotels, guest & boarding premises or self-catering accommodation

Government guidance further defines these as:

• Premises that are being used for the sale of goods to visiting members of the public:

  • Shops (such as: florists, bakers, butchers, grocers, greengrocers, jewellers, stationers, off licences, chemists, newsagents, hardware stores, supermarkets, etc)
  • Charity shops
  • Opticians
  • Post offices
  • Furnishing shops/ display rooms (such as: carpet shops, double glazing, garage doors)
  • Car/ caravan show rooms
  • Second-hand car lots
  • Markets
  • Petrol stations
  • Garden centres
  • Art galleries (where art is for sale/hire)

• Premises that are being used for the provision of the following services to visiting members of the public:

  • Hair and beauty services (such as: hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons, tanning shops, etc)
  • Shoe repairs/ key cutting
  • Travel agents
  • Ticket offices e.g. for theatre
  • Dry cleaners
  • Launderettes
  • PC/ TV/ domestic appliance repair
  • Funeral directors
  • Photo processing
  • Tool hire
  • Car hire

• Premises that are being used for the sale of food and/or drink to visiting members of the public:

  • Restaurants
  • Takeaways
  • Sandwich shops
  • Coffee shops
  • Pubs
  • Bars

• Premises which are being used as cinemas

• Premises that are being used as live music venues:

• Premises that are being used for the provision of sport, leisure and facilities to visiting members of the public (including for the viewing of such activities):

  • Sports grounds and clubs
  • Museums and art galleries
  • Nightclubs
  • Sport and leisure facilities
  • Stately homes and historic houses
  • Theatres
  • Tourist attractions
  • Gyms
  • Wellness centres, spas, massage parlours
  • Casinos, gambling clubs and bingo halls

• Premises that are being used for the assembly of visiting members of the public:

  • Public halls
  • Clubhouses, clubs and institutions

• Premises where the non-domestic part is being used for the provision of living accommodation as a business:

  • Hotels, guest and boarding houses
  • Holiday homes
  • Caravan parks and sites

Government guidance states the following businesses will not qualify for the 2022/23 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme:

• Premises that are being used for the provision of the following services to visiting members of the public:

  • Financial services (e.g. banks, building societies, cash points, bureaux de change, short-term loan providers, betting shops)
  • Medical services (e.g. vets, dentists, doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors)
  • Professional services (e.g. solicitors, accountants, insurance agents/ financial advisers, employment agencies, estate agents, letting agents)
  • Post office sorting offices

• Premises that are not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public.

Other Autumn Budget 2021 Business Rates measures

• A freezing of the multipliers at 49.9p (small business multiplier) and 51.2p (standard multiplier)
• The extension of the current Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business schemes

Ways to contact us about business rates

If you have questions about business rates, or paying your business rates, you can contact us by: 

• online form
• email: businessrates@ashfield.gov.uk 
• telephone: 01623 457200
• post: 

Business Rates
Ashfield District Council
Urban Road
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottingham
NG17 8DA