Local businesses across High Wycombe and Buckinghamshire are being urged to check how changes to business rates - which came into force on 1 April 2026 - will affect their bills.

The changes stem from the Autumn Budget set in November 2025, which outlined a package of measures to support businesses in England, and represent the most significant shake-up to the business rates system in years.

What Has Changed?

Previously, businesses were allocated one of two multipliers when calculating their rates bill. From 1 April 2026, that system has been replaced by five multipliers, determined by both the rateable value and the type of use of a property.

Under the new system:

  • Small Retail, Hospitality and Leisure businesses with a rateable value under £51,000 will pay a multiplier of 38.2p
  • Small non-domestic businesses with a rateable value under £51,000 will pay 43.2p (down from 49.9p)
  • Standard Retail, Hospitality and Leisure businesses with a rateable value between £51,000 and £499,999 will pay 43p
  • Standard non-domestic businesses in the same bracket will pay 48p (down from 55.5p)
  • High-value non-domestic properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more will pay 50.8p

The changes mean that cafés, shops, pubs, hotels and leisure businesses will now receive permanent built-in support, rather than having to apply for relief schemes on a yearly basis.

Property Revaluations

The changes coincide with a revaluation of all commercial properties in England and Wales by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which happens every three years to ensure business rates reflect the current property market. The 2026 draft rating list has now been published, meaning some businesses may see their bills go up, down or stay the same depending on their new rateable value. Businesses can check their valuation at gov.uk/find-business-rates.

Protection From Big Bill Increases

For businesses facing higher bills due to revaluation, transitional relief will automatically kick in to limit the size of any increase:

  • Small properties (rateable value £20,000 or less): capped at a 5% increase in 2026/27
  • Medium properties (rateable value £20,001–£100,000): capped at 15% in 2026/27
  • Large properties (rateable value over £100,000): capped at 30% in 2026/27

A 1p supplement will be added to bills for businesses not eligible for transitional relief or Supporting Small Business Relief. For example, a property with a rateable value of £20,000 would see an additional charge of £200.

Pubs and live music venues across the area will benefit from an additional 15% business rates relief on top of other support, with bills then frozen in real terms for a further two years — welcome news for the hospitality sector which has faced a difficult few years.

Other key changes:

  • Businesses taking on a second property will now keep small business rate relief on their first property for three years, up from one year previously
  • Properties installing electric vehicle charging points will benefit from a 100% rates relief for 10 years

Buckinghamshire Council is currently reviewing all properties in the area to determine which multiplier applies to each. Businesses that need further information or advice are encouraged to visit gov.uk/guidance/help-with-the-2026-business-rates-revaluation or contact the council directly.