Business rates / Property types / Cafés

Business rates for cafés

There are around 20,488 cafés on the rating list, with a median rateable value of £11,500. As retail, hospitality or leisure premises, those under £51,000 should pay the lower 38.2p RHL multiplier.

20,488Cafés on the list

£11,500Median rateable value

£4,393Typical charge before relief

53%Under the £12k SBRR threshold

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Worked example

A café with the median rateable value of £11,500 would be charged on the RHL (38.2p) multiplier, about £4,393 a year before any relief. At this value, full Small Business Rate Relief could reduce that to nothing.

Relief for cafés

RHL multiplier: 38.2p instead of 48.0p for premises under £51,000.
Small Business Rate Relief: up to 100% under £12,000, tapering to £15,000.
A valuation check: make sure your rateable value isn't too high versus comparable cafés.

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Questions

How much are business rates for cafés?

A typical café has a rateable value of £11,500. On the RHL (38.2p) multiplier that's roughly £4,393 a year before relief, though many at this value pay nothing after Small Business Rate Relief.

What relief can cafés claim?

Cafés usually qualify for the lower Retail, Hospitality & Leisure multiplier (38.2p) under £51,000, and for Small Business Rate Relief under £15,000. Some also qualify for sector-specific relief.

How do I check my café bill?

Upload it to our free checker, we read it, cross-check the rateable value against the official VOA list, and flag any missed relief.

Other property types

Counts and rateable values are derived from the Valuation Office Agency rating list, used under the VOA's terms and conditions.