Increase in property valuations for business rates

In April 2026, rateable values of all business properties in England and Wales will increase to reflect changes in the property market. Local authorities use the rateable value to calculate business rates. Businesses can sign up for a business rates valuation account to find out what the future rateable value of their property will be. The revaluations are based on the open market rental value of properties on 1 April 2024.

Read more about the revaluations here 

Guidance published for businesses exporting to US

The Department for Business has published guidance for UK businesses exporting low-value shipments to the US following the removal of the $800 (£590) de minimis threshold. Exports to the US, regardless of value, are now subject to tariffs and duties, customs clearance and administrative charges, and data requirements.

Read more about the changes here

Weekly Markets coming to Carlisle 

Cumberland Council's weekly markets are coming to Carlisle! The market will take place on Fridays and will be hosted in the newly revamped city centre.

If you are interested in being involved, please fill in the form below. Be quick, they have had a huge amount of interest already and spaces are limited.

Apply here

Call out for tourism businesses to register on our new destination websites needs to be in bold as a heading 

Discover Carlisle and the Western Lake District & Coast now have brand new promotional websites to showcase our area to visitors. Businesses can register free of charge by filling out these forms:

Events can also be listed which will help us generate content for our social media channels and promote your activity.

This opportunity is open to all businesses operating in the visitor economy in Cumberland.

The new websites were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will be the backbone to all of our future destination marketing activity.

List your business on Discover Carlisle 

List your business on Western Lake District & Coast

HMRC targeting small business expense claims

The Chartered Institute of Taxation has warned that HMRC is focusing its compliance activity on business expense claims to tackle the small business tax gap. HMRC is planning to run a digital campaign to highlight issues related to the reporting of private use adjustments for business expense purposes in self-assessment tax returns and to encourage correct expense claims.

Read more about the campaign here 

Self-assessment scam warning

HMRC is urging self-assessment customers to remain vigilant in response to ongoing tax refund scams and phishing attempts. HMRC has published guidance to help customers verify the authenticity of communications requesting personal details or offering a tax rebate.

Read more about the warning here

SME Breakfast: Helping businesses to support their employees to stay well in work 

A series of business breakfasts have been set up in South Cumbria to help employers support their employees to stay well in work.

The two breakfast sessions will take place in October, bringing together the owners of small to medium enterprises to share current initiatives that businesses can use to support employees physical, psychological and social needs.

The session will cover:

• Context and data outlining the impact of sickness absence locally
• Details and resources on becoming an inclusive workplace, including making reasonable adjustments, supporting neurodiverse employees and becoming disability confident employers
• Information and access to WorkWell, a fully funded service providing tailored help and assessment for individuals who are struggling at work due to their health or are taking a leave of sickness absence. For further information on WorkWell visit: WorkWell - The Bay Anchor Network

Details of the breakfast events are below.

Kendal Rugby Club, Wednesday 1 October, 8:00am- 10:30am 

Barrow Town Hall, Monday 6 October 8:00am- 10:30am 

To book your place -

Kendal – https://forms.office.com/e/yMibqWT2Mx

Barrow – https://forms.office.com/e/svHptsTBVE

Mitie Business Boost 3.0

West Cumbrian businesses are being invited to apply for the Mitie Business Boost 3.0.

With a focus this year on Digital, Technology and Innovation the fund supports businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs, SME’s and start-ups to evolve and grow their business ideas for local impact through digital transformation.

You could win up to £40,000 to invest in your business alongside free expert mentoring and tailored workshops.

2025 marks the third year of the competition which is a social value initiative.

You can find out more and register here 

Sending low value packages by post to the US

When posting low value packages to the US, the British Chambers of Commerce are advising you now need to:

• Factor in new duty costs for you or your customers depending on how you trade with them
• Make sure your postal services operator has an international carrier bond
• Ensure payment of the import duties will be made on entry to the US
• 10% duties due on commercial value of the UK origin goods sent by postal services
• For first six 6 months either the 10% rate or specific fee of $80 can be paid for UK goods sent by postal services
• After first 6 months, specific fee scrapped and only the 10% duties acceptable
• Talk to your customers about who is paying the tariffs on arrival to the US – if it’s under delivery duty paid terms it will be the exporter