The retail relief scheme granted to companies in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry has now been extended to any company regardless of RV.

This will see business rates for the applicable companies scrapped for the year 2020-2021.

Local Authorities will be issuing further details to those who are liable for the relief in the coming days.

UPDATE 3rd April 2020 : The relief will NOT be counted towards state aid;

“That the Government’s assessment is that, given the impact of Covid-19 in the sectors receiving the relief, that the Expanded Retail Discount 2020/21 is not a State aid. The Government has considered this matter in discussions with the European Commission and is content with this analysis following those discussions. Local Authorities should provide the relief to all eligible properties.”

Therefore, any property that fits the criteria will see a £0 bill for business rates in 2020/2021.

This is also applicable for Rate Payers in Wales.