Business rate relief and debt advice

Business rate relief is delivered through Buckinghamshire Council.

All businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector will not be required to pay business rates between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. This includes shops, pubs, theatres, music venues, restaurants, sports clubs, village halls and bingo halls. It also includes estate agents and letting agents and registered nursery providers. This discount applies to all of these businesses regardless of their size or rateable value.

The expanded business rate retail relief is being automatically applied to business rate accounts and updated bills sent out.

No application is required but any retail, hospitality or leisure business or organisation that does not get an updated bill, but believes they should get relief, should contact their area office.

The government has announced that individual local authorities can grant relief for Ofsted’s Early Years-registered provider nurseries. Buckinghamshire Council will be using its discretion to award this relief.

We would strongly advise you to continue to pay your business rates if you possibly can. However, we would urge any business that is expecting to have difficulties in making their business rate payments to let us know so we can work through issues together in a sensible and practical way.

• Aylesbury area: Phone 01296 585096
• Chiltern area: [email protected] Phone: 01494 732077
• South Bucks area: [email protected] Phone: 01895 837540
• Wycombe area: [email protected] Phone: 01494 412226

Yes, Buckinghamshire Council will continue to bill normally for the provision of goods and services. However, the raising of some invoices may be delayed in light of recent coronavirus announcements.

The council will do its best to support residents who find themselves in financial hardship through this period. If you find you are unable to afford your service or goods, please contact [email protected]

All queries will be looked into by the relevant service area, and they will contact you to see how they can help. The council will also work with you to discuss repayment plans.

Many organisations offer free confidential advice to customers to help them prioritise their debt, and some of these organisations can also arrange payment plans with creditors.

Trustworthy organisations include:

• Citizens Advice Bureau Call: 0844 826 9713.
  • Amersham office: Barn Hall Annexe, Chiltern Ave, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5AH
  • Aylesbury office: 2 Pebble Lane, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2JH8
  • Buckingham office: Wheeldon House, Market Hill, Buckingham, Bucks MK18 1JX
  • High Wycombe office: Easton St, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 1NJ
• National Debt Helpline Call: 0121 410 6230
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service Call: 0800 138 1111
• Business Debt Line Call: 0800 197 6026
• Age UK Call: 0800 169 6565

For information around other local support available in Buckinghamshire, visit our local and government support for businesses page