Local businesses from across West Wales have voiced serious concerns about the impact of business rates at a dedicated roundtable.
The online Business Rates Forum hosted by local Senedd Members Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies brought together businesses from the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors, alongside representatives from UK Hospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), PASC UK and the Federation of Small Businesses. Officials from the Welsh Government and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) also took part.
The forum was convened in response to the forthcoming business rates revaluation in Wales, due to come into force on April 1, 2026. It gave businesses the opportunity to speak directly to policymakers and officials about the pressures facing high streets and employers across West Wales, including rising costs, changing consumer behaviour and ongoing economic uncertainty.
Since December, Carmarthen West and South Pembroeshire Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has been examining the likely impact of the revaluation on small businesses in Pembrokeshire, an issue that has attracted significant attention. The move to update rateable values in line with current property market conditions has left some businesses facing substantial increases in their business rates.
Participants heard from the Valuation Office Agency, including Nicola Broadbent, Head of Non-Domestic Revaluation Delivery, who explained how business rates are calculated in Wales, the reasons for the revaluation and how the checks, challenges and appeals process operates. Key differences between the Welsh system and arrangements in England were also outlined.
Industry representatives from UK Hospitality, the BBPA and PASC UK set out what the new rateable values could mean for businesses from April 2026, with a particular focus on small businesses and the hospitality and tourism sectors. Practical examples were shared, alongside common issues being raised by businesses across West Wales.
Welsh Government officials addressed the forum on the reliefs and transitional support currently available, while businesses questioned whether existing schemes go far enough to protect employers facing sharp increases in their rates bills.
A wide-ranging question and answer session followed, during which businesses spoke candidly about the challenges they face, warning that higher business rates could put jobs, investment and long-term viability at risk.
©Vid: Samuel Kurtz
