RATES REVAL 2026 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

11 February 2026

Rates Revaluation 2026 

What happens next?

First, I want to pay tribute to the hospitality businesses that supported our efforts by contacting their elected representatives and voicing their concerns.

We are especially grateful to those who agreed to speak to the media—often without notice, as we were connecting journalists with businesses at pace.

Being interviewed can be daunting, but there is nothing more powerful than hearing directly from those who are affected. I genuinely appreciate everyone who responded to our call.

As you are likely aware by now, the Finance Minister has paused Revaluation 2026 in response to the concerns raised. This was a difficult decision, and one that deserves recognition and thanks.

We also recognise that this pause will have impacted businesses that were expecting a reduction in Net Annual Value (NAV), and therefore lower rates bills.

The pause will not have been welcomed by everyone.

We sympathise with those adversely affected by the pause, but the fact remains that the proposed revaluation would have been devastating for many hospitality businesses, and we simply had to act.

So, what happens next?

The Minister has stated that he remains in “listening mode” and will consider the next steps.

In the interim, businesses will continue with their current NAV, this includes the Covid adjustment previously secured by Hospitality Ulster, namely a c20% reduction of FMT for pubs and a c30% reduction of FMT for hotels, which would have been removed if Reval 2026 had proceeded.

The Minister also informed us that he would take account of the reviews in Scotland and in England.

For hospitality businesses, that means we must now come forward with robust data to make the case for change. In particular, we need to:

• build an evidence-based case for changes to the revenue-and-expenditure method used to value pubs and hotels; and
• propose how restaurants, cafés, coffee shops and similar businesses can be supported through a rating system that recognises we are a labour‑intensive industry and—given the overall tax burden—can no longer sustain excessively high rates bills.

While much of the blame lies with over‑taxation at Westminster, and we will continue to campaign for a pilot reduction in VAT for Northern Ireland and a reduction in employers’ NICs, the impact is felt locally—and for many businesses, the ability to pay simply isn’t there.

The Finance Minister has been clear that he expects the industry to bring forward an evidence‑based case for changes to how hospitality businesses are rated, for his consideration. This will require the appointment of a team of specialists to review the current processes, compile the evidence and build a case for change. It is a complex process and will not be inexpensive, but it is essential—and time is not on our side.

As this work progresses, we will hold industry engagement sessions across the province to ensure your input—and our shared understanding of the challenges you face—are brought to the fore.

In the meantime, I thank you for your continued support, without members we would not exist, and your voice would not have been heard.

 Colin Neill