20 Mar Good News for Biggleswade High Street: Navigating the 2026 Business Rates Relief
If you’ve taken a stroll through Biggleswade Market Square recently, you’ll know that our local high street is the heartbeat of the community. From the independent boutiques to the cafes where we all grab our morning caffeine fix, these businesses are what make Bedfordshire such a fantastic place to live and work.
But let’s be honest: running a physical shop, restaurant, or pub hasn't been easy lately. Between rising energy costs and shifting consumer habits, the "bricks and mortar" business owners have had a lot on their plates. That’s why the news regarding the 2026 Business Rates changes is so important.
As we approach April 1st, 2026, we are seeing a significant shift in how the government handles business rates for the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure (RHL) sectors. For a long time, we’ve relied on temporary, year-to-year relief schemes that left many owners wondering if they’d face a "tax cliff" every spring.
The good news? The government is moving toward a more permanent solution designed to provide certainty. At Harrison's Accountancy, we want to make sure you’re prepared for these changes so you can focus on what you do best: serving our local community.
Out with the Old, In with the Permanent
For the last few years, many of you have benefited from a temporary 75% relief on your business rates. While that was a lifesaver, it was always a "sticking plaster" solution. It was temporary, and it came with a strict cash cap that often penalised those who were trying to grow.
From April 1st, 2026, that temporary relief is being phased out in favour of permanently lower business rate multipliers for properties with a Rateable Value (RV) under £500,000.
What does this mean for you?
Instead of waiting for a budget announcement every year to see if your relief will be extended, the actual "tax rate" (the multiplier) applied to your property value is being lowered specifically for your industry. This provides the kind of long-term stability that allows you to plan your cash flow for the next three to five years, rather than the next three to five months.
Breaking Down the 2026 Multipliers
Business rates can feel like a maze of jargon, but it essentially comes down to two numbers: your property’s Rateable Value and the Multiplier.
Starting in April 2026, the government is introducing two specific RHL multipliers that are significantly lower than the standard national rates:
- The Small Business RHL Multiplier (38.2p): This applies to retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses with a Rateable Value below £51,000. If you run a small shop or a local cafe in Biggleswade, this is likely where you’ll sit.
- The Standard RHL Multiplier (43.0p): This is for those with a Rateable Value between £51,000 and £499,999.
To put this in perspective, the standard non-domestic multiplier for other types of businesses (like offices or warehouses) is usually much higher. By creating these specific "lanes" for the high street, the Treasury is effectively acknowledging that high street businesses face unique pressures.
One of the biggest wins here is the removal of the cash cap. Under the old 75% relief scheme, there was a limit on how much total relief a business could claim across all its locations. For 2026, if your property qualifies based on its value and use, you get the lower multiplier. Period.
A Special Toast to our Local Pubs and Music Venues
We’ve always been proud to support our local hospitality sector: whether it’s cheering on the participants at the annual Biggleswade Duck Race (which we love to sponsor!) or helping a local publican get their books in order.
The 2026 changes include an extra layer of support for the sectors that bring the most life to our evenings and weekends. There is a specific 15% relief aimed at pubs and small music venues.
Why is this a big deal?
Pubs often have higher rateable values due to the way they are assessed, but they operate on notoriously thin margins. This 15% relief, combined with the permanently lower multipliers, is a targeted attempt to keep the "local" in local communities. If you’re running a venue in Bedfordshire, this could be the breathing room you need to invest in that new kitchen equipment or upgrade your outdoor seating area.
Is it all "Good News"? The Transition Period
We believe in being proactive and transparent here at Harrison's. While the permanent multipliers are a great structural change, some businesses that were receiving the full 75% temporary discount might see their actual bill increase slightly as the system transitions.
However, the government has anticipated this. They are introducing a redesigned transitional relief scheme worth over £3 billion. This is designed to cap how much any single business’s bill can rise in a single year.
If you find that your business rates are set to jump, there are "Supporting Small Business" schemes that cap increases at either £800 or a specific percentage cap. The goal is to ensure that no business is blindsided by a massive bill on April 6th.
Why This Matters for Biggleswade and Bedfordshire
When the high street thrives, the whole town thrives. Lower business rates mean more money staying within the local economy. It means the shop owner on the High Street can afford to hire another local part-timer, or the cafe in the Square can keep its prices fair for the regulars.
At Harrison's Accountancy, we see ourselves as more than just people who "do the taxes." We are part of the Biggleswade fabric. We want to see our neighbours succeed. By understanding these Accountancy Updates, you can make informed decisions about your business’s future.
Your April 2026 Checklist: What to Do Now
You don't need to wait until April 1st to get your ducks in a row. Here is what we recommend every Biggleswade business owner does this month:
- Check Your Rateable Value (RV): Do you know what your property is currently valued at? You can find this on the VOA (Valuation Office Agency) website. Knowing if you are under the £51k or £500k threshold is step one.
- Review Your Industry Classification: Ensure your business is correctly classified as "Retail, Hospitality, or Leisure." If you’ve pivoted your business model recently (e.g., moving from a retail shop to more of an office/distribution hub), your eligibility might have changed.
- Forecast Your Cash Flow: Use the new 38.2p or 43.0p multipliers to estimate your 2026/27 tax bill. If you use Xero or other cloud accounting tools, we can help you plug these numbers into your projections.
- Talk to a Proactive Accountant: Business rates are just one piece of the puzzle. When you combine this with the upcoming changes to the Minimum Wage and potential shifts in NICs, having a holistic view of your finances is essential.
How Harrison's Accountancy Can Help
Navigating government relief schemes can feel like a full-time job in itself. But you already have a full-time job: running your business.
We specialise in taking the "tax headache" away from local entrepreneurs. Whether you need a quick Advisory session to understand how the new rates affect your specific shop, or you want us to handle the full transition to the new tax year, we’re here to help.
We pride ourselves on being "proactive," not just "reactive." That means we aren't just telling you what happened last year; we’re looking ahead to April 2026 and beyond to make sure you’re in the best possible position.
Final Thoughts
The shift to permanent multipliers is a win for the stability of Biggleswade's High Street. While the transition might require some careful budgeting, the end of "temporary" fixes is a step toward a more sustainable future for our local retailers and hospitality heroes.
If you’re feeling unsure about your business rates, or if you just want to chat about how these changes fit into your wider Accountancy strategy, why not drop us a line? We’re always happy to have a coffee and a chat: preferably at one of the local cafes that will be benefiting from this very relief!
Let’s keep Biggleswade's high street vibrant, profitable, and prepared for 2026.
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Keep an eye on our News section for more updates as we get closer to the new tax year.
No Comments