Chancellor to explore reforms to business rates on second premises

15 Sep 2025

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will look at fixing the cliff edges in business rates that can discourage small business investment and growth, according to a report from HM Treasury.

Currently when a business opens a second property, they will lose access to all Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) unless they meet specific conditions, holding businesses back from expanding.

That means that a local bakery would have to pay thousands of pounds more for opening a small shop in the next village.

The report confirms that the government will review how SBRR can support business growth, potentially lifting growth and living standards in the future for those who work in these small businesses.

This is one of the options being explored in the Treasury's business rates interim report.

The Chancellor said: 'Our economy isn't broken, but it does feel stuck. That's why growth is our number one mission. We want to see thriving high streets and small businesses investing in their future, not held back by outdated rules or strangled by red tape.

'Tax reforms such as tackling cliff-edges in business rates and making reliefs fairer are vital to driving growth. We want to help small businesses expand to new premises and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.'