Lowestoft landmark Claremont Pier faces an annual £43,000 business rates rise, with its director warning of job losses, reduced opening hours and higher prices.
Ben Llewellyn, director of Claremont Pier in Lowestoft, has said he is deeply concerned about the future of his family-run business after learning its business rates are due to more than double.
The east coast attraction currently pays £31,000 a year in business rates, but from April the bill will rise to £74,000 – an increase of £43,000. Llewellyn described the increase as a “kick in the teeth”, despite government assurances that help is available for businesses facing higher costs.
“It took the wind out of my sails and I didn’t know what to say or what to do,” he said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous and everything is stacked against us at the moment.
“But, we will work harder and we will try out hardest to make it work and keep the business alive, but sometimes grit and determination only last so long.”
Llewellyn fears the higher rates bill could force difficult decisions, including raising prices, reducing staff numbers and cutting back opening days. Although businesses can challenge their rateable value, he said the process often leads nowhere.
“We’ve tried this before where we’ve contested, but all they do is turn round and say ‘no’,” he said. “So, is it really worth wasting hours and hours of time filling out forms and trying to talk to people when the computer just says no?”
Many businesses have seen their rateable values increased by the Valuation Office Agency, which said this reflected post-pandemic recovery.
“At the last revaluation, many businesses were significantly affected by the pandemic, which resulted in much lower rateable values,” a VOA spokesperson said. “Any businesses that have since seen a recovery in their trade – by law we must reflect this in our new valuations.”
The leisure and hospitality sector, one of the worst hit by the pandemic, has also faced rising costs from the energy crisis, increased National Insurance contributions and a higher minimum wage. Each time businesses begin to get their head above water, another wave of cost increases and threatens to pull them back under, leaving operators like Llewellyn worried that next time they may not resurface.
No relief from rates
Ben Llewellyn said… “It took the wind out of my sails and I didn’t know what to say or what to do…It’s absolutely ridiculous and everything is stacked against us at the moment…
Originally published on Coinslot on January 19, 2026. Republished with permission.