Fish Street, Northampton Town Centre Image: Wilson Browne Solicitors
Commercial property specialists at Wilson Browne Solicitors are urging landlords and tenants across Northamptonshire to start planning now for the major Business Rates reforms coming into effect in April 2026.
The Government’s overhaul of the system — outlined in the forthcoming Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill — will replace the current two-rate model with five new multipliers, linked to both property size and sector.
From 2026, businesses will fall into new categories including small and standard rates for retail, hospitality and leisure premises, and separate rates for larger properties with a rateable value above £500,000. The changes will coincide with a nationwide revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency, based on rental values from April 2024.
While the reforms aim to give long-term certainty to smaller high street businesses, larger occupiers in logistics, industrial, and office sectors could face increased liabilities once new valuations take effect. “These reforms may seem some distance away, but the impact will be significant — particularly for landlords and tenants in sectors that have seen sharp changes in rental values,” said Tom Warrender, joint head of commercial property at Wilson Browne Solicitors. “Now is the time for businesses to review their portfolios, speak with their advisors and prepare for potential changes to their rates bills.”
Wilson Browne is advising clients to review their rateable values and engage early with professional advisors to ensure they are ready for the October 2025 draft rating list and the new system that follows.
The firm notes that while it does not provide business rates advice directly, its commercial property team is working alongside other professionals to help businesses navigate the legal and contractual implications of the changes.
A full overview of the reforms, including details from North Northamptonshire Council and NNBN, can be found in our article published on October 21st 2025.
