DATA REPORT
The State of UK Business Rates 2026
We analysed all 2,128,295rated business properties in England & Wales on the 2026 VOA rating list. Together they carry £84.6bn of rateable value across 342billing authorities, and most are smaller than you'd think.
Key findings
- Most properties are small. 58% have a rateable value of £12,000 or less, eligible, in principle, for 100% Small Business Rate Relief.
- The median is just £9,600, far below the £39,763 mean, a long tail of large properties pulls the average up.
- Only 12% sit at £51,000 or above, where the standard 48.0p multiplier applies.
By property type
| Property type | Properties | Median RV |
|---|---|---|
| Shops & Retail | 780,245 | £9,800 |
| Offices | 431,043 | £8,800 |
| Workshops & Studios | 241,898 | £9,900 |
| Warehouses & Industrial Units | 146,462 | £26,500 |
| Pubs | 39,058 | £23,750 |
| Restaurants | 34,832 | £27,500 |
| Surgeries & Clinics | 28,072 | £16,250 |
| Hair & Beauty Salons | 26,764 | £5,800 |
| Cafés | 20,488 | £11,500 |
| Hotels & Guest Houses | 14,519 | £18,250 |
| Nurseries & Childcare | 12,732 | £21,750 |
| Gyms & Leisure | 9,471 | £25,750 |
| Bars | 2,416 | £17,500 |
| Takeaways | 1,112 | £9,500 |
By area (top 12)
| Area | Properties | Median RV |
|---|---|---|
| London | 227,179 | £18,750 |
| Birmingham | 48,008 | £8,100 |
| Manchester | 44,832 | £9,000 |
| Leeds | 27,918 | £9,100 |
| Bristol | 27,774 | £11,750 |
| Liverpool | 24,959 | £7,800 |
| Nottingham | 24,556 | £8,500 |
| Sheffield | 21,370 | £8,900 |
| Leicester | 19,030 | £10,500 |
| Norwich | 15,997 | £7,500 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 15,212 | £8,000 |
| Cardiff | 14,184 | £8,800 |
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Methodology
Figures are aggregated from the Valuation Office Agency 2026 compiled rating list for England & Wales, counting entries with a positive rateable value. Used under the VOA's terms and conditions.
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How many business properties are there in England and Wales?
2,128,295 non-domestic properties have a rateable value on the 2026 rating list, across 342 billing authorities.
What is the average business rateable value?
The median rateable value is £9,600 and the mean is £39,763, the gap reflects a long tail of very high-value properties.
How many businesses qualify for Small Business Rate Relief?
58% of properties have a rateable value of £12,000 or less, the threshold for 100% Small Business Rate Relief.