Croydon means business - Business rates relief programme

The business rates relief programme comprises:

• Targeted support to incentivise new businesses to occupy Croydon’s vacant commercial units, focusing on high-footfall town-centre corridors such as George Street, North End, Centrale, Dingwall Road, Station Road and London Road
• 16 empty units identified with rateable values between £12K to £15K
• 12 weeks of business rates relief for eligible new occupiers to support start-ups, early-stage businesses and priority sectors

Eligibility

• Must be a new business, not a relocation
• Must employ Croydon residents (via Trailblazers, Connect to Work or Croydon Works)
• Must be locally based and actively trading in the borough
• Focus sectors include: independent food and hospitality, creative industries (digital, design, cultural and leisure enterprises)

Conditions of support

• Businesses must show viability and need to supply a business plan and financial forecasts
• Relief becomes repayable if the business closes or relocates out of Croydon within the first 6 months

How to apply

Applicants will need to submit an expression of interest explaining:

• the business idea
• how the space will be used
• the benefits it brings to the area
• the business plan, viability assessment and staffing plan

Expressions of interest should be sent to the Croydon Business Concierge team: conciergebusinesssupport@croydon.gov.uk.