Business Rates & Appeals

Business Rates Revaluation – 1st April 2026

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have released a revised Rateable Values for Leisure and Commercial properties in England and Wales from 1 April 2026.

You will not be able to challenge your 2026 Rateable Value until after 1st April 2026.

Businesses can source their new rateable value (1st April 2026) via this link by inserting their postcode: https://www.gov.uk/find-business-rates

To ascertain the detail of the assessment of the RV, click on 'help with future valuation'. Also note 'you have another question about your valuation' - then send an enquiry before 1st April 2026. Once you have details of the assessment, a decision can be made if you wish to challenge the Rateable Value or not.

The Rateable Values are based on the “market rent” for the property as at 1 April 2024 (the “valuation date”).

The VOA have not yet released the details as to how the property has been valued, generally the Rateable Value will be assessed on a percentage of the turnover of the business at 1st April 2024.

The business rates to be paid is calculated by applying the 'multiplier' (set by the Government) to the Rateable Value (see below).

Over recent years, businesses in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) sector, farm attractions have benefited from discounting relief (2025/26 - 40%) paid following COVID.

From 1 April 2026 this 40% relief will cease and be replaced by a reduced multipliers depending on the Rateable Value (RV) assessment.

There will be two lower business rates multipliers for RHL properties with RVs below £500,000.

Multiplier rates for these bandings will be:-

Extract from Gov UK document - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet

Appeals Process (“Check, Challenge, Appeal”)

Once the 2026 rating list goes live, you will be able to use the VOA’s Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process if you consider the assessment of the Rateable Value is incorrect and/or too high.

In Summary

Revised Rateable Values will apply from 1 April 2026 until 2029.
Detailed assessment of the Rateable Value and the right to challenge open from April 2026.
The new reduced multipliers for RHL businesses will replace the 40% discounting.

We provide advice on the assessment of your Rateable Value (RV) and if required, appeals specific to commercial and leisure enterprises. We have a successful track record of appealing Rateable Values, making sure you do not pay more rates than necessary (our testimonials below).

We can also advise on Rateable Value (RV), exemptions and reliefs:

Agricultural exemptions
Small business rates relief
Charity relief
Hardship relief

BUSINESS RATES APPEALS

We can offer advice and guidance on:

Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA)
Gathering information in support of your appeal including comparable evidence

We are members of the Institute of Revenues Rating & Valuation (IRRV), the Rating Surveyors Association (RSA) and also members of the National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN).

Download help sheet here:- HelpsheetforNFANFarmAttractionMembersVOAformsMay2024.pdf

Testimonials

“Barry’s professional manner, exemplary approach and attention to detail ensured that his communication with the VOA office secured a massive reduction in the Rateable Value of 55%.”
Joseph Manning, Old Macdonald's Farm, Essex

“Barry really took time to understand our business. He applied his extensive knowledge to the very complex rating appeal process, and we have received refunds due to his hard work.”
Steve Carthew, Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter

“I would highly recommend Barry to any business worried about their Business Rates. He successfully negotiated and reduced ours by 53%. The service was diligent and professional. His communication was excellent and the savings made far outweighed the costs charged.”
Martin Burton, Zippo's Circus, Berkshire

“Barry’s communication with us and the VO was exemplary. The huge volume of work coupled with his dedicated approach and professional help resulted in 34% reduction in our Business Rates. Barry is very easy to deal with and never gives up and has an excellent knowledge of the area. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending him.”
Bob Ottaway, Audley End Miniature Railway, Essex

“Barry has supported us at Cockfields for a number of years now and has helped us tremendously on several occasions. The advice given has been invaluable and has reduced our Rateable Value by 43%. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending him.”
David Mort – Cockfields Farm Park, Oldham

“Davies & Co. assisted me with a business rates assessment. I found Barry to be both personable and professional, and I would not hesitate to recommend Davies & Co. to anyone.”
Lucy Clive – Church Farm, Stadhampton, Oxfordshire

“Davies and Co. dealt with my recent rating valuation very professionally. Barry has an in-depth understanding of the industry and was able to give an insight into the type of valuation to expect and how to achieve this. He often spent time out of hours discussing the case both with me and the valuation officer. This led to a successful outcome and I would thoroughly recommend his services.”
Colin Evans – Cantref Adventure Farm and Riding Centre, Brecon, Wales

“Barry Davies advised me on business rates for my farm attraction – he is very knowledgeable in this field and he negotiated the rating valuation down to an acceptable figure.”
Rhys Edwards – Cefn Mably Farm Park, Newport, Wales

“The Valuation Office visited our Children's Farm and massively increased the Rateable Value from 2010. Davies & Co submitted an appeal and negotiated a 40% reduction, which we were very pleased with.”
Joan Rawlins – Ash End Children's Farm, Staffordshire

“The Scottish Assessors increased our Rateable Value. As a result of Davies & Co appealing, our RV was reduced by £8,000, minimising our rates liability over the next five years.”
George Hogg – Wynford Farms, Aberdeen

“Thanks to Davies & Co.’s advice, time, and effort on our behalf, our rateable value did not increase, and we have just received a nil invoice. Thank you most sincerely.”
Sue Heseltine – Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey, Skipton

“Barry’s speedy approach and professional knowledge meant we achieved the desired outcome. Our Rateable Value remained at £4500, when it could have been increased to £17,500- £20,000.”
Rosemary Brown – Bluebell Dairy, Brunswood Farm, Nr Derby

“Our Rateable Value came down from £16,750 to £5,000 a 70% reduction, back to 1 April 2017. Barry’s service was speedy and very effective; therefore, I have no hesitation in recommending him to other attractions or leisure businesses wanting a reduction in their Rateable Value.”
JOHN MCCUTCHAN - ARLINGTON BLUEBELL WALK & FARM TRAILS, EAST SUSSEX

“Davies & Co. has been exemplary in supporting us through the complexity that is the Valuation Office Agency’s labyrinthine process for determining your business rate valuation. Glamping remains an unknown sector to the valuers so the likelihood of misjudgement is exceptionally high. Their knowledge of the system in invaluable, and once appointed as agent they were successful in getting a beneficial revaluation. We cannot recommend them too highly.”
SARAH & CHRISTOPHER BROADBENT - SWALLOWTAIL HILL LTD, BECKLEY, EAST SUSSEX

“Barry reduced our rateable value by 73%, we cannot thank him enough. Our business can now continue by paying a fair rate that is reasonable for our small business.”
MARITA OGILVIE - OGILVIE DOGS, LINCOLNSHIRE

“Barry's 'Terrier Manner' meant he did not give up resulting in a 49% reduction in the rateable value of our Farm Park. I would thoroughly recommend him to any rural business who needs someone who will fight to the end.”
WILLIAM ESSE - CHURCH FARM, STOW BARDOLPH, WEST NORFOLK

“Davies & Co reduced our ‘Rateable Value’ by 35%. I must admit it’s not every day that I find £38,000 dropped into my bank account! Without any hesitation we would certainly recommend Davies & Co.”
BRYAN & DAWN PASS - LONGDOWN ACTIVITY FARM, NEW FOREST