Enterprise Zone Business Rate Relief Policy

If your property is situated within the Bath and Somer Valley Enterprise Zone you could be eligible to receive Enterprise Zone Relief up to state aid limits. Use the maps below to see the zone boundaries.

Bath Enterprise Zone map

Somer ValleyEnterprise Zone map

Eligibility

Eligible businesses must fulfil the following criteria;

  • They must employ at least five full-time equivalent employees within the enterprise zone area.
  • The property must be rateably occupied.

Ratepayers resident within the Enterprise Zone from before 01.04.2017

  • 50% relief will be awarded where the ratepayer can show that the number of full-time equivalent jobs created within the enterprise area has increased by more than 20% since 01/04/2017.
  • 100% relief will be awarded where the ratepayer can show that the number of full-time equivalent jobs created within the enterprise area has increased by more than 30% since 01/04/2017.
  • The award of relief will take effect from the date that the number of employees increased by the qualifying percentage.

Ratepayers who become resident in the Enterprise Zone from 01.04.2017 onwards

  • 100% relief will be awarded, subject to occupation of the property by at least five full-time equivalent employees
  • Restrictions will be imposed on the duration of the award where changes in occupation are between linked ratepayers; for example where one is a parent company of another.

Awards of relief will not be backdated more than 6 months after the financial year to which the application relates. Providing the qualifying criteria continue to be met, the length of the awards may continue for up to five years. It is intended that applications for relief will be accepted until 31/03/2022.

State aid

From 1st January 2021, the EU State Aid rules ceased to exist. The scheme was replaced by subsidies under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU. Enterprise Zone Rate Relief counts towards subsidies. The rules are fully explained in the government subsidy guidance. When applying for Enterprise Zone Rate Relief you must confirm that you are not in breach of these rules. It is your responsibility to ensure you abide by these rules.

Apply for Enterprise Zone Relief

  1. Download and complete the Enterprise Zone Relief Application Form (243 KB)
  2. Email it back to us at businessrates@bathnes.gov.uk

Any awards of relief will be conditional on the Council being satisfied that the qualifying criteria are met and to that end we may request evidence and information to support your application.

After you have applied for Enterprise Zone Relief We will assess your entitlement and send you an amended bill if you qualify. You must tell us about any changes which may affect your entitlement to rate relief or an exemption. If you do not report a change, you may pay an incorrect amount for Business Rates and may even be investigated for fraud. If you would like more information on what changes to report please contact us.

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