Backing Stockport's Pubs and Hospitality Venues with Lower Business Rates

Pubs and hospitality venues are at the heart of communities across the Stockport constituency. They are places where people come together, where local musicians get their start, where sports clubs and community groups meet, and where families and friends celebrate life's milestones. Stockport has a proud musical heritage. Artists like Blossoms and members of The Stone Roses all have strong connections to our town, and the next generation of musicians need thriving grassroots venues where they can perform.

That is why I welcome the new Prime Minister's announcement that, from April 2027, pubs, clubs and live music venues will receive a further 20% cut to their business rates bills.

This means many venues across the Stockport constituency will benefit from lower costs, with the typical pub expected to save around £1,100 in the next financial year. It is practical support that will help businesses invest, create jobs and continue serving our communities.

For too long, too many valued venues have struggled with rising costs and changing high streets. Across Stockport, we know how important our independent pubs, social clubs and live music venues are to the character of our town. They deserve a government that is on their side.

This announcement is part of Labour's wider plan to support businesses, strengthen our high streets and deliver economic growth in every community across Greater Manchester and the North West.

The package will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues across the country, including over 5,000 in the North West. It will be fully funded, including through reviewing business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops.

Alongside this, the Government will take action to tackle businesses selling through online marketplaces while avoiding their tax obligations, ensuring that responsible local businesses are not placed at an unfair disadvantage. Revenue from these reforms will be reinvested into improving the business rates system.

As the Prime Minister has said:

"For too long, governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.”

"This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that's what we will do. What we are announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country."

Backing our local businesses is essential to creating thriving town centres and stronger communities. This is another important step towards delivering growth in every postcode and ensuring Stockport's high streets have the support they need to flourish.

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to write to me over the years about supporting pubs and hospitality venues, as well as all of the staff who work at these venues in Stockport and across Britain.