Powys businesses in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors are being encouraged to apply for a rate relief scheme that could provide substantial financial support in the 2025/26 financial year.

The Welsh Government has allocated £3.449 million to Powys County Council for the Business Rates: Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme, offering eligible businesses a 40 per cent discount on their rate bills.

Up to 980 businesses in Powys may qualify for the scheme, which applies to a range of establishments including shops, pubs, restaurants, gyms, performance venues, and hotels.

The relief scheme is available until March 31 2026, with a cap on the discount for any business property at £110,000. However, businesses must apply for the relief in order to benefit from the discount.

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has once again provided funding for this scheme.

“It continues to be a real difficult time for those businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector with the continuing challenging economic times they face.

“This scheme does support businesses in these sectors so I would urge those businesses who are eligible for this discount to apply for it as soon as possible.”

Further information on the scheme, including the application form and how to apply, can be found online by searching Business Rates: Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief 2025 / 2026 at: www.powys.gov.uk