Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has confirmed an increase to its Local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for 2026 to 2027, providing extra financial support for shops, cafés, pubs and other high street businesses.
The council says the move will help local traders manage rising costs while continuing to support town centres and the wider local economy.
Rhondda Cynon Taf is one of the only councils in Wales currently providing this type of support to local businesses.
Under the updated scheme, the maximum relief available to eligible businesses will rise from £500 to £625 for the 2026 to 2027 financial year. The level of support will increase again to £750 in 2027 to 2028.
Around 1,400 businesses across the county borough are expected to benefit from the enhanced scheme.
The council confirmed that the scheme will continue to use the same qualifying criteria as the former Retail, Leisure and Hospitality relief programme. This means the support will remain focused on small and medium sized businesses, including independent shops, cafés, takeaways, pubs and salons that serve local communities.
In some cases, where a business has a net rates bill that is lower than the value of the relief, the scheme could 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 local scheme will run alongside the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme, meaning many hospitality businesses may be able to benefit from both forms of support.
However, the Welsh Government scheme has currently been confirmed for one year only, and eligible businesses will need to apply before the deadline of 31 March 2027.
All businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf will receive their Non Domestic Rates bill for the 2026 to 2027 financial year in the coming weeks. The council said the bills will include further information about the available relief schemes as well as other changes to the Non Domestic Rates system that come into effect from 1 April 2026.
Eligible businesses must submit an application to receive either form of support. Once approved, they will be issued with an adjusted Non Domestic Rates bill reflecting the relief awarded.
