More than 100 businesses from Pembrokeshire and across west Wales have signed up to attend an online forum organised and hosted by Conservative Members of the Senedd Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz, focused on business rates and the impact of recent changes to rateable values.
The online event, taking place on Monday 26 January 2026 at 10:30am, will bring together key organisations involved in business rates and the local economy, including the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), UK Hospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), PASC, and Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).
The forum is designed to help businesses better understand how business rates are calculated, how recent changes to rateable values may affect their bills, what reliefs may be available, and how to check and challenge valuations where appropriate.
Commenting on the strong response, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“The fact that more than 100 businesses have signed up shows just how much concern there is locally about business rates. By bringing together the VOA, industry bodies and the local authority, businesses will be able to get clear, reliable information directly from those involved in the system.”
Businesses from across retail, hospitality, services and the rural economy have registered, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of business rates on the local area.
“Too many businesses only discover there is an issue when their bill arrives,” Samuel Kurtz MS added. “This forum is about helping businesses check their rateable value early, understand what support is available, and take action if something does not look right.”
Paul Davies MS said:
“Business rates continue to place real pressure on shops, pubs, hospitality venues, tourism businesses and small employers across Pembrokeshire and the wider region. This online forum is a practical step to help businesses better understand the system and ensure they are not paying more than they should. It also underlines the importance of reforming business rates so they are fair, transparent and do not hold back local growth.”
The online format allows businesses to take part without leaving their premises, making the event accessible for busy owners and managers.
