Business Rates in Forest of Dean
Businesses in Forest of Dean paid £17.5m in net business rates during 2025-26, below the average English council's £93.2m.
Net rates income (2025-26)
£17.5m
Total relief granted
£10.2m
Small Business Rate Relief
£4.4m
Retail, hospitality & leisure relief
£1.2m
Active businesses (2025)
3,770
Small Business Rate Relief
£4.4m — Automatic relief for the smallest ratepayers, based on rateable value.
43%
Charity relief
£2.6m — Mandatory 80% relief for registered charities.
25%
Retail, hospitality & leisure relief
£1.2m — Extra support for shops, pubs, and hospitality venues.
12%
Empty property relief
£1.0m — Short-term relief for vacant commercial premises.
9%
Forest of Dean granted £10.2m in relief overall, lower than the national council average of £26.3m. This included £4.4m in Small Business Rate Relief and £1.2m in retail, hospitality and leisure relief.
A further £2.6m went to charity relief and £1.0m to empty property relief, reflecting the mix of ratepayers across the local authority.
Forest of Dean has an estimated 3,770 active businesses, according to the latest ONS Business Counts (2025).
Forest of Dean ranks 144 out of 296 local authorities in England on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, where 1 is most deprived and 296 is least deprived.
FAQ's
How much are business rates in Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean's local authority collected £17.5m in net business rates income during 2025-26, based on the national multiplier applied to each property's rateable value, less any relief granted.
What reliefs are available in Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean granted £10.2m in business rates relief in 2025-26, including £4.4m in Small Business Rate Relief, £1.2m in retail, hospitality and leisure relief, £2.6m in charity relief, and £1.0m in empty property relief.
How do I know if I'm overpaying?
If your rateable value looks high compared to similar properties nearby, or you're not currently receiving relief you may be entitled to, it's worth checking your assessment. Check your bill for free
Figures from MHCLG National Non-Domestic Rates statistics (2025-26), ONS UK Business Counts (2025), and English Indices of Deprivation (2025).