Bookshops Business Rates Relief: Authors Urge Government Action 2026

Bookshops business rates relief is the focus of a new campaign backed by 234 independent booksellers and prominent authors including Philip Pullman, Maggie O’Farrell, and Katherine Rundell. They are urging the government to extend the same business rates reduction recently granted to pubs, clubs, and live music venues to bookshops, warning that rising costs could force many beloved stores to close.

Why Bookshops Deserve Business Rates Relief

The open letter, organized by the Booksellers Association and sent on 13 August, argues that bookshops provide significant community benefits—just like the hospitality venues that received a 20% business rates cut from April 2027. The letter states: “The government has accepted that businesses which deliver significant community benefit deserve targeted support. Bookshops clearly meet that test.”

Authors such as children’s laureate Patrice Lawrence, Adam Kay, Lemn Sissay, Anthony Horowitz, Patrick Ness, Donna Ashworth, and Rachel Joyce have also added their names to the cause. They believe that without relief, the National Year of Reading’s legacy could be undermined by policies that reduce investment in bookshops and may contribute to their closure.

Comparison: Business Rates Relief for Pubs vs. Bookshops

The disparity is stark. While the government acknowledges the community value of certain businesses, bookshops—which host author events, support local literacy, and serve as cultural hubs—are left out. The campaign calls on Prime Minister and Chancellor to include bookshops in the relief scheme, especially as the National Year of Reading aims to promote reading across the country.

Key Takeaways from the Campaign

• 234 independent booksellers have signed an open letter to the government.
• More than a dozen high-profile authors support the campaign.
• Bookshops are excluded from the 20% business rates relief given to pubs and venues.
• The government’s own policies on high street regeneration conflict with its reading initiatives.
• Without relief, many bookshops risk closure, harming communities.

What’s Next for Bookshops and Business Rates?

The Booksellers Association is urging supporters to write to their MPs and share the open letter on social media. The campaign also aligns with Andy Burnham’s recent plans to curb vape shops and betting shops on high streets, which he says have displaced “the shops, services and community spaces that people are crying out for.” Bookshops, by contrast, are exactly the kind of community spaces that need protection.

As the government prepares its autumn budget, the pressure is on to extend relief. For now, book lovers and authors alike are raising their voices to ensure that reading matters—not just in words, but in policy.

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