West Oxfordshire businesses to continue receiving support from business rates relief for 2025/26

The Business Rates Relief scheme is funded and decided by the Government and administered by West Oxfordshire District Council, helping businesses receive essential financial support as they continue to recover and adapt in a challenging economic landscape.  

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, said: "We understand the challenges that businesses in our district continue to face, from rising costs to customers with less money to spend.  

“Through the continuation of this rates relief scheme, our local businesses will receive support to help them navigate these pressures and continue to serve our communities. The retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors are vital to our high streets, market towns, and rural areas, and this relief contributes towards our wider efforts to support them." 

Eligible businesses, including shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, cinemas, hotels, and leisure facilities, will receive a 40% discount, with a cap of £110,000 per business. The relief applies to businesses that are predominantly used for retail, hospitality, or leisure purposes, and will take effect from 1 April 2025, with reductions automatically applied to business rates bills. 

This relief will assist a wide range of businesses, from shops and pubs to gyms, cinemas, and live music venues, recognising that these sectors are vital to supporting local economies, high streets, rural communities, and tourism. 

Businesses can access a range of support services through West Oxfordshire District Council. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we offer programs designed to help businesses grow, thrive, and improve areas such as financial management, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector. For more information, visit our website or sign up for our Business Matters newsletter to stay updated on the latest support and funding opportunities.