Scottish businesses are being urged to make their voices heard before the deadline closes on a key review that could shape how pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and other licensed venues are charged business rates for years to come.
The Scottish Government’s call for evidence for the independent Gill Review of licensed hospitality valuation will close on Monday, leaving only days for operators, landlords, trade bodies and sector advisers to submit their views.
Led by BJ Gill KC, the review is examining whether the current system used to assess rateable values for licensed premises remains fair, transparent and fit for purpose.
Its findings are expected by the end of 2026 and will help inform future reforms ahead of the 2029 revaluation cycle.
The consultation is particularly significant for Scotland’s hospitality sector, which continues to face rising wage costs, energy bills, supply chain pressures and fragile consumer confidence.
Businesses are being asked to provide evidence on issues including:
- actual rents paid for licensed hospitality properties
- turnover data where rent is paid
- whether the current valuation methodology produces reliable annual values
- disparities between valuations in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK
- possible alternative valuation methods
- how underperformance or overperformance is treated in assessments.
You can view the full consultation here.
Responses can be submitted by email to bjgill@amadvocates.co.uk before the 5pm deadline on 20 April.