Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has confirmed a further uplift to its Local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for 2026/27, providing extra financial support to help local shops, cafés, pubs, and other high‑street businesses manage the year ahead.
Rhondda Cynon Taf is one of the only Councils in Wales to provide this support to local businesses.
As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to strengthening town centres and supporting the local economy, the maximum relief available to eligible businesses will rise from £500 to £625 for 2026/27, increasing again to £750 for 2027/28. The enhanced scheme is expected to benefit around 1,400 businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The scheme uses the same qualifying criteria as the former Retail, Leisure and Hospitality scheme, ensuring support reaches the small and medium‑sized businesses that form the backbone of local communities. This includes many of the independent shops, cafés, takeaways, pubs, and salons that residents rely on every day.
In some cases, where a business’s net rates bill is lower than the value of the relief, the uplift will reduce their bill to zero for the year.
Councillor Ros Davis, Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“We know how important our local businesses are to the fabric of our communities and our town centres. This increased support will give them extra breathing space at a time when many continue to face rising costs. By raising the relief to £625 this year and £750 next year, we’re putting more money back into the hands of local traders and helping to ease some financial pressure.”
The enhanced scheme runs alongside the Welsh Government’s new Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme, meaning many hospitality businesses will benefit from both forms of support, although it should be noted that the Welsh Government have committed to a one-year relief scheme only.
Therefore, eligible businesses will need to make their application for the Food Drink & Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme before the scheme closes on 31st March 2027.
All businesses will be issued with their rates bill for the financial year 2026/27 in the coming weeks and included with the bill will be important information about these relief schemes, as well as other major changes to the Non-Domestic Rates system that come into effect from 1st April 2026.
Eligible businesses will need to submit an application to receive either relief, after which they will be issued with an adjusted Non‑Domestic Rates bill.
Get more information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Posted on 13/03/2026