Significant changes are taking place to Business Rates from 1 April this year. We know these changes, introduced by the Government, are causing some concern for businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry. Click here for more information. 

What are Business Rates? 

Business Rates are a form of local property tax paid by most commercial properties such as shops, pubs, warehouses, offices etc.

What’s happening to Business Rates from 1 April 2026? 

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values of over 2 million commercial properties in England and Wales.

The business rates changes due to come into force from 1 April 2026 is based on valuation data from April 2024. There will then be revaluations every three years to ensure the latest data is being used to calculate bills and provide more certainty to the sector. 

Why could your business rates bill go up significantly over the next three years? 

The last revaluation came into effect in 2023 but was based on data from 1 April 2021 when many sectors were still impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time retail, pubs and hospitality businesses generally saw a decrease in rateable values as these sectors were heavily impacted by lockdowns and restrictions. On top of this, temporary Covid-era financial support is also ending from this April. 

This means many businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, could now experience large rises in bills as the market readjusts following the pandemic.

📣 The Government has launched a 7-week consultation on the biggest shake-up of Worcestershire councils in more than 50 years – and your voice will be crucial in shaping the future of our county. 

There are two plans on the table:

Transforming Worcestershire

This proposal would create two single councils to run all services in their areas: 

North Worcestershire Council (Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest) 

South Worcestershire Council (Malvern Hills, Worcester, Wychavon)

This option is based on your feedback from the extensive Shape Worcestershire engagement we ran last summer.

One Worcestershire

An alternative proposal from Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council, creating one single council running all services across the entire county.

Under both options

All existing borough, city, county and district councils would be abolished.

Last summer, you told us what you thought. 

Now it’s your chance to tell the Government which option you believe they should support. Your voice truly matters.

🔎 Find out how to have your say and read more about both proposals here: https://bit.ly/4agXbUk

🔎 Find out more about the Transforming Worcestershire proposal here: https://bit.ly/4a1mtXT

Visit Worcestershire are encouraging tourism businesses in the county to attend training courses to help build on the excellent accessibility and inclusion work that has been undertaken.

Autism Awareness course options:

• Autism Awareness: Wednesday 25th March 2026 9.30am-12.30pm 

 Venue: The Old Court, Worcester Street, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1EW 

 Cost: £30 per person (plus VAT)

• Autism Awareness :Tuesday 15th September 2026 9.30am-12.30pm 

Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Rd, Worcester WR2 4QQ 

Cost: £30 per person (plus VAT)

Dementia Awareness course options:

• Dementia Awareness: Wednesday 20th May 2026 9.30am-1pm 

Venue: TBC 

Cost: £30 per person (plus VAT)

• Dementia Awareness: Wednesday 14th October 2026 9.30am-1pm 

Venue: TBC 

Cost: £30 per person (plus VAT)

To book a space on any of the courses, please email either kcomber@worcestershire.gov.uk or visitworcestershire@worcestershire.gov.co.uk

Worcestershire’s business community will gather this spring for the Worcestershire King’s Awards for Enterprise Annual Event, celebrating ambition, innovation and success across the county.

Hosted by the Worcestershire Lieutenancy, the event highlights the UK’s highest official business honours. Guests will hear from past recipients about how the awards have supported growth and innovation. The evening also offers valuable networking opportunities and insight into what makes an award-winning organisation. Join us for an inspiring celebration of local enterprise.

Please register for your place today entry is strictly by prior registration only: The Worcestershire King’s Awards for Enterprise Annual event. Tickets, Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite

The Elevate Growth programme is fully-funded by Worcestershire County Council and designed specifically to help established Worcestershire businesses turn strategy into results.

The programme will focus on: 

• Improving profitability and strengthening your sales pipeline 

• Increasing productivity across teams and operations 

• Implementing systems and new technologies to support growth 

• Developing partnerships and collaborations, particularly with local customers and supply chains 

• Turning plans into measurable commercial outcomes

This programme includes: 

• Three in-person peer sessions (2 hours each) with other established B2B business leaders to share experiences, challenges, and practical ideas 

• 1:1 business consultancy to discuss confidential issues, support implementation projects, and ensure ideas translate into real business improvements.

The programme will be delivered by Rockfine Group, with a strong track record of supporting businesses to grow.

Many employers struggle with attracting talent into their business and rely on short term solutions to meet skills demands.

Work experience offers a long-term, cost-effective solution, and it is getting better for both young people and employers.

The Governments vision for work experience is set to change as they will introduce the ambition to replace the current traditional single one week placement with the new Modern Work Experience, a series of shorter, more meaningful experiences spread across a student’s education.

This approach reduces pressure on employers, increases flexibility, and creates more impactful encounters making participation accessible for organisations of any size or sector.

The Worcestershire Growth Hub is working with the Careers Worcestershire Early Careers Hub, and The Careers & Enterprise Company, to ready the system and prepare for the introduction of the new Modern Work Experience system, enabling both young people and organisations across Worcestershire to access and benefit from it.

To support employers and fully outline the changes coming with Modern Work Experience, the teams will be holding an event on Wednesday 4 March 2026, as part of the wider Worcestershire Skills Expo, the county’s largest careers event.

Did you know Worcestershire offers a free Community Services Directory that signposts people to advice, information, and support for health and wellbeing across the county?

If your employees or customers are looking for support, this is the place to explore what’s available and find the right help quickly.

If your organisation offers health and wellbeing services, you may also be eligible to advertise your support on the directory, helping local residents and businesses connect with what you provide.

For organisations providing professional signposting, you can also set up a Professional Account to share resources and provide accurate guidance in your role.

• Explore support: Community Services Directory | Worcestershire County Council

• Professional accounts: Professional accounts for the Community Services Directory | Worcestershire County Council