Overview
- UK Hospitality projects 2,076 venue closures in 2026 without broader relief, equivalent to roughly six shutdowns a day.
- Hotels are forecast to be hit hardest, with average business rates up £28,900 this year and a three‑year increase of £205,200, a 115% jump.
- The April 1 increases stem from new property valuations and the removal of Covid‑era discounts confirmed in the November Budget.
- The Government has a £4.3bn fund for pubs in place, and further measures for the wider sector are reported to be under consideration within days.
- Industry groups urge extending relief to restaurants, hotels and B&Bs and raising the discount to 20p, citing mounting cost pressures across the sector.