Pubs and Licenced Trade

In England and Wales, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) works out your rateable value based on the annual level of trade (excluding VAT) that a pub is expected to achieve if operated in a reasonably efficient way.

This is called ‘fair maintainable trade’ and it’s based on:

  • the type of pub or licensed premises
  • the area it is in
  • the services it offers, for example food, gaming or televised sports screenings

 

The VOA also looks at rents and turnovers to work out the fair maintainable trade figure, then applies a percentage to work out the rateable value.

The percentages are agreed with the British Beer and Pub Association and they are in the VOA’s pub guide. Contact the VOA if you want to check the figures they are using or don’t agree with the figures being used.

You’ll need to provide details of turnover (excluding VAT) for all sources, such as liquor, food and gaming.