Business rates for pubs and live venues: the potential benefits of rate cuts

“Q: Is the Government doing anything to help the late-night entertainment sector? And why are things so tough at present?”

Running a pub, club or live music venue is a major challenge in the current economic climate.

One in four late-night venues in the UK went out of business between 2020 and 2025. And the venues that remain are finding it difficult to cope with post-COVID pressures, high business rates, low customer numbers and high employment costs.

“A: From April 2027, pubs, clubs and live music venues will receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills”

The Government is aware that the UK’s late-night entertainment industry is under immense pressure. In January 2026, the Government announced that in 2026-27, eligible pubs and live music venues will benefit from 15% business rates relief, on top of the support already announced at Budget 2025.

In July 2026, the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced an additional 20% rate cut for qualifying pubs, clubs and live venues – making this one of his first new policies as PM.

What are the main aims of the new rate cut?

There’s a clear commitment to ease the financial burden faced by small pubs and venues.

The 20% rate cut will come into effect from April 2027, with the following impact for qualifying late-night entertainment businesses:

Pubs, clubs and live music venues will receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills. Lowering overheads will provide immediate cashflow relief, saving the typical venue an estimated £1,100 per year to directly cushion the current inflationary pressures.

Measures to support the backbone of local high streets, including a review of reliefs provided to anti-social businesses, such as vape shops.

Rate cuts will be funded by taxing non-compliant online sellers to help protect brick-and-mortar venues. This will create a fairer playing field in the market, with the aim of keeping local high streets vibrant and busy.

Helping your venue balance out its cashflows

If your pub, club or music venue is finding it difficult to balance rising operational expenses against unpredictable customer revenues, now’s the time to come and talk to us.

Our team will review your current financials and can suggest key changes to your spending and revenue generation – to get your venue back on track and operating at a profit.

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New to Self Assessment? What to Do Before Registering

Registering for Self Assessment for the first time can feel daunting, but a little preparation will make the process much easier. CPM Accountants has put together this practical checklist to help you get started.

1. Check whether you need to register

You may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return if you:

  • are self-employed or a business partner
  • receive rental or other untaxed income
  • have income above certain HMRC thresholds
  • need to report capital gains
  • have more complex tax affairs

Check the latest HMRC guidance before registering, as the rules depend on your circumstances.

2. Identify why you need to file

The registration process varies depending on whether you are self-employed, part of a partnership or registering for another reason, such as rental income. Knowing why you need to file helps ensure you register correctly.

3. Gather your details

Have the following information ready:

  • full legal name and current address
  • date of birth
  • National Insurance number
  • email address and phone number
  • business details, if applicable

Make sure your details match HMRC’s records.

4. Confirm your trading start date

If you are self-employed, you will need to provide the date you started trading. This affects the tax year you report and the records you must keep.

Your start date is generally when you began business activity with the intention of making a profit—not necessarily when you received your first payment.

5. Organise your records

Set up a system for recording:

  • income and sales
  • business expenses
  • invoices and receipts
  • bank statements
  • mileage
  • property income and costs, where relevant

A spreadsheet may be sufficient, although bookkeeping software can make managing your records easier.

6. Consider other obligations

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to consider:

  • VAT registration
  • PAYE for employees
  • Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) responsibilities
  • Making Tax Digital requirements

7. Budget for tax

Start setting money aside for Income Tax, National Insurance where applicable and possible payments on account. Planning early can help prevent cash-flow problems when your first bill arrives.

8. Understand the deadlines

Make sure you know when you must register, submit your tax return and pay the tax due. Missing HMRC deadlines can result in penalties and interest.

Common mistakes to avoid

First-time taxpayers commonly:

  • register late
  • provide the wrong start date
  • keep incomplete records
  • forget to budget for tax
  • overlook other registration requirements
Need help?

CPM Accountants can help you determine whether you need to register, complete the registration correctly and prepare your bookkeeping and tax returns.

Getting professional advice early can save time, reduce stress and help you avoid costly mistakes. Contact CPM Accountants to discuss your Self Assessment requirements.

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New UK Business Regulations in 2026: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

The UK’s regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with several important changes coming into effect during 2026.

From Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements to updates in Capital Gains Tax and digital compliance, businesses need to stay informed to remain compliant and avoid costly penalties.

At CPM Accountants, we help businesses navigate regulatory changes with confidence. Here’s a summary of the key developments every business owner should be aware of.

Increased Capital Gains Tax on Business Disposals

Business owners planning to sell their company should also be aware of changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR). From 6 April 2026, the Capital Gains Tax rate on qualifying business disposals increases to 18%, although the £1 million lifetime limit remains unchanged. For entrepreneurs considering retirement or succession planning, reviewing your exit strategy sooner rather than later could make a significant financial difference.

Inheritance Tax Changes Affect Family Businesses

Family-owned businesses are also affected by changes to Business Property Relief (BPR). From April 2026, the existing 100% relief will be capped at a combined allowance of £2.5 million, with qualifying assets above that threshold receiving reduced relief. These changes make succession planning more important than ever. Reviewing ownership structures, shareholder agreements and estate plans can help protect future generations.

Continued Digital Transformation Across HMRC

HMRC is continuing its drive towards digital services. New online systems are being introduced for VAT-related processes, including digital submissions for “Option to Tax” notifications and related applications. These improvements aim to reduce paperwork while improving processing times and accuracy. Businesses should expect further digitalisation over the coming years and ensure their accounting systems are ready.

Companies House Reforms Continue

The implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act continues to reshape Companies House. The reforms are designed to improve the accuracy of company information, strengthen identity verification and reduce fraudulent activity. Businesses should expect greater scrutiny of company filings and director information as implementation progresses. Maintaining accurate statutory records has never been more important.

How Businesses Can Prepare

Regulatory change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The best approach is to prepare early by:

  • Reviewing your accounting software.
  • Ensuring bookkeeping is up to date.
  • Planning for tax changes.
  • Reviewing business succession and exit plans.
  • Seeking professional advice before major financial decisions.

Being proactive can save both time and money while reducing compliance risks.

How CPM Accountants Can Help

Keeping up with changing tax legislation and business regulations is challenging, particularly when you’re focused on running your business.

At CPM Accountants, we work with businesses across a wide range of sectors, providing practical advice on tax planning, bookkeeping, cloud accounting, payroll, company accounts and regulatory compliance.

Need advice on how these new regulations affect your business? Contact CPM Accountants today to arrange a consultation and ensure your business is fully prepared for the changes ahead.

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Making Tax Digital Update 2026: What Businesses, Sole Traders and Landlords Need to Know

The UK’s tax system is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. After several delays, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax officially came into effect from 6 April 2026 for the first group of taxpayers, bringing significant changes to how income and expenses are recorded and reported to HMRC.

If you’re a sole trader, landlord, or self-employed individual, it’s important to understand whether these new rules affect you and what steps you need to take to remain compliant.

What Is Making Tax Digital?

Making Tax Digital is HMRC’s initiative to modernise the UK tax system through digital record-keeping and more frequent reporting. The aim is to reduce errors, improve accuracy, and provide taxpayers with a clearer picture of their tax position throughout the year.

Who Must Comply?

The rollout is being introduced in phases based on gross income from self-employment and property:

Start Date  | Annual Gross Income Threshold

6 April | 2026 Over £50,000
6 April | 2027 Over £30,000
6 April | 2028 Over £20,000

The threshold is based on combined gross income from self-employment and property before expenses are deducted.

Key Changes Under MTD for Income Tax

Paper records alone will no longer be sufficient for affected taxpayers. Businesses and landlords must maintain digital records using MTD-compatible software. This can include cloud accounting software or approved spreadsheet solutions with bridging software.

Instead of reporting once a year, taxpayers will submit updates every quarter. These updates provide HMRC with a summary of income and expenses during the reporting period.

Recognising the scale of the change, HMRC has confirmed that taxpayers who are mandated into MTD from April 2026 will not receive penalty points for late quarterly updates during the first year of operation (2026/27). However, penalties can still apply for late tax returns and late payment of tax liabilities.

This transitional period provides businesses with an opportunity to adapt to the new reporting requirements while minimising the risk of immediate penalties. Although MTD has already begun for some taxpayers, many businesses and landlords are still preparing for future phases of the rollout.

Making Tax Digital represents a major shift in tax administration, but with the right support it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

At CPM Accountants we can help you:

  • Determine when MTD applies to you.
  • Set up compliant digital record-keeping systems.
  • Select and implement suitable software.
  • Submit quarterly updates and final declarations.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with HMRC requirements.
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