40% Business Rates Relief Offers Lifeline to Indian Restaurants, But Industry Calls for More Reform
Indian restaurants across England are set to benefit from a new 40% discount on business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, a policy announced in the Autumn Budget 2024. This relief, effective in the 2025-26 tax year, is expected to ease the financial burden for thousands of small, independent restaurants struggling with soaring operational costs.
Moslek Uddin, a permanent member of the APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners and founder and CEO of the UK Curry Connect (UKCC) group, which advocates for the curry industry, has welcomed the government’s announcement. “The 40% relief is a positive step forward,” said Uddin, “but it’s crucial to remember that this industry continues to face immense challenges. We need a more comprehensive, long-term approach that goes beyond temporary fixes.”
The APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners, an influential cross-party group dedicated to advocating for minority business interests, is chaired by Rupa Huq MP, with Sarah Olney MP and Baroness Verma returning as co-chairs, joined by Dan Aldridge MP. With 35 MPs and Peers also supporting the group as members, the APPG stands as a strong voice for policy change that supports diverse business communities across the UK.
Through his work with the UKCC, Uddin has highlighted that many Indian restaurants are disproportionately impacted by business rates, which remain high despite changes in footfall and rising costs for energy and raw ingredients. He noted that larger chain restaurants can absorb these expenses more easily, whereas independent, family-run businesses face mounting challenges in keeping their doors open. “Our goal,” Uddin explained, “is not just to help these businesses survive, but to see them thrive. We need to make it easier for small businesses to contribute to their communities and to the UK’s cultural and economic landscape.”
While the business rates relief is a welcome measure, the APPG and other industry bodies are calling for deeper reform to ensure an equitable rates system that supports smaller, independent operators. As April 2025 approaches, they aim to keep the conversation active, pushing for changes that recognise the unique contributions of ethnic minority businesses, especially in the culinary sector.
