The government’s 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed that from 1 April 2026, new business‑rate rules will come into force — including permanently lower tax multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties.
This has potentially far‑reaching implications for riding schools, equestrian centres and other leisure‑oriented equine businesses.
How the new 2026 business‑rate system will work
- Under the new system, properties classed as RHL with a rateable value (RV) below £500,000 will benefit from reduced multipliers — the factors used by local councils to calculate annual business‑rate bills.
- Specifically, from 2026–27 the multipliers will be:
- Small‑business RHL (RV under ~£51,000): 38.2p
- Standard‑RHL (RV between ~£51,000 and £499,999): 43.0p
- For properties with RV £500,000 or more, a new “high‑value” multiplier applies — 50.8p in 2026–27.
- The new RHL multipliers are set at 5p below the national (non‑RHL) equivalents, making the relief structural (i.e., not temporary), rather than a short‑term discount.
In short: for many riding schools and equestrian centres — especially smaller or modestly sized ones — this means a lower tax burden on their premises from 2026 onwards. By making the RHL discount permanent and simpler to apply, the government aims to provide long‑term certainty to sectors like leisure and hospitality — of which equestrian businesses are often a part.
The government has confirmed that eligible businesses will automatically receive the new rates, offering welcome relief to many in the equestrian sector. However, the level of savings will depend on how local authorities classify individual premises. Not all equestrian establishments may automatically qualify, even if they are open to the public.
During the COVID-19 period, the Sport and Recreation Alliance confirmed that Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure (RHL) relief should include equestrian premises, provided they were “open to the public.” Despite this, some businesses at that time found they were not recognised as eligible, highlighting the importance of checking classification under the new system.
Owners of riding schools and equestrian centres can check their projected business rates from 1 April 2026 at www.gov.uk/find-business-rates. Ensuring eligibility could provide meaningful financial relief and help support the growth and sustainability of equestrian businesses across the country.