Apart from properties that are exempt from business rates, each non-domestic property has a rateable value that is normally set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). You can appeal against the value if you think it is wrong.
The rateable value represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date. For the revaluation which came into effect on 1st April 2026, the date used is 1st April 2024.
Burnley Council works out your business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the appropriate multiplier.
The rating multiplier is set annually by central government for the whole of England according to formulae set by legislation. The multiplier is normally uprated by CPI inflation each year unless government decides to freeze or underrate a multiplier. The current multipliers are always shown on the front of your bill.
The 2026/27 multiplier rates are:
| Multiplier/Business Type | RV Range | 2026-27 Multiplier Value |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business / Retail | £0 – £50,999 | 38.2p |
| Standard Business / Retail | £51,000 – £499,999 | 43.0p |
| Small Business / Non-Retail | £0 – £50,999 | 43.2p |
| Standard Business / Non-Retail | £51,000 – £499,999 | 48.0p |
| High Value (RV) Business | £500,000 + | 50.8p |
The table below shows the multiplier values over the past few years.
| 1st April – 31st March | Standard Multiplier | Small Business Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 – 2026 | 55.5p | 49.9p |
| 2024 – 2025 | 54.6p | 49.9p |
| 2023 – 2024 | 51.2p | 49.9p |
| 2022 – 2023 | 51.2p | 49.9p |
| 2021 – 2022 | 51.2p | 49.9p |
Transitional Supplement
A 1p transitional supplement will be payable by all business ratepayers not in receipt of transitional relief. This has been introduced for the 2026/27 financial year only. Its intention is to help fund the transitional relief scheme (businesses facing a large increase following the 2026 Revaluation).
The supplement will still be shown on the bill for any ratepayers in receipt of transition relief, but this will be offset by the overall relief scheme.