Business, economy and licences

Includes advice, grants, economic development and regeneration

In this section

Business rates

We are responsible for collecting rates from businesses in Somerset

Licensing

We administer and issue licences, permits, consents and notices for a wide range of activities in Somerset.

Pay a council invoice

Pay a council service invoice using a current debit or credit card, includes a Somerset lifeline bill, Bus Gate Penalty Charge or a Parking Penalty Charge

Pages in Business rates

Non-payment of Business Rates

What happens if you don't pay your Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates), the recovery action we may take and the help and support available.

Appeal against your business rates bill

What to do if you think your business rates are wrong

Report a change of circumstances for Business Rates

Register for Business Rates if you have moved into the area or report a change of address, change of name or a change affecting entitlement to a discount or relief

Business Rates information

Your Business Rates explained

Notify us of your new business

How to notify us of a new business

Claim a business rate relief or exemption

Reliefs and exemptions available to business rate payers

Business Rates changes from April 2026

Learn about Business Rates changes from April 2026, including new multipliers, reliefs, revaluation, and support for small businesses and the high street

Understanding your Business Rates Bill 2026 to 2027

A clear guide to your Business Rates bill for 2026 to 2027, including how charges are calculated, revaluation, multipliers, and available reliefs

Pay your business rates bill

How to pay your Business Rates and details of the statutory instalment scheme

Major developments

Includes information on Hinkley Point C, Gravity Enterprise Zone and Nexus 25 Employment site

Business advice and support

Including the help we can give businesses in Somerset

Innovation and enterprise

Includes information on iAero, innovation centres and networks

Pages in Business advice and support

Employment and skills

We can help if you are looking to progress your career or need employment support

Apply to be a business mentee

Work with an experienced Somerset business leader to overcome challenges in your business

Scientific Services

Somerset Scientific Services provide expert asbestos, water, workplace and environmental testing

Business support through the Growth Hub

We offer free business advice and support services to businesses in Somerset

Contact the Business and Economy Team

We can help with business advice and support in Somerset

Somerset Business Mentoring

Help to support the growth of micro, small and medium businesses in Somerset

Support for your business

Find business advice and support available in Somerset

Local business networking groups

Business advice and support available in Somerset

Inward Investment – Invest Somerset

Invest Somerset exists to provide a seamless one-stop shop approach to facilitate more jobs and investment

Business continuity management

Help manage risks to the smooth running of organisations and delivery of services

Safety Advisory Group (SAG)

Information and guidance on how to hold an event safely

Local Labour Agreements in Sedgemoor

Information on employment and training opportunities for local residents in Sedgemoor

Filming in Somerset – Screen Somerset

We work together and with Creative England to welcome productions of all kinds

Pages in Innovation and enterprise

Somerset Enterprise Centres

Somerset Council delivers a network of 9 enterprise centres across the county, providing a mixture of office and light industrial space to businesses, on affordable and flexible terms, and in areas of market under-provision.

Screen Somerset

We help filmmakers and photographers find locations in Somerset and provide what support we can to make their productions run smoothly

Somerset Innovation Centres

Innovation support services for businesses within Somerset’s key growth sectors

Yeovil Innovation Centre

The Council’s Innovation Centre in Yeovil offers flexible, modern and affordable business space, with room for growth

Our Somerset workspaces

We manage a diverse portfolio of workspaces, including offices and light industrial units. Find commercial property to suit you

Business funding and grants

Business support funding grants to help businesses make the investments they need to prosper and grow

Regeneration and connectivity

Includes recovery, growth and investment information

Economic strategies, research and data

Includes county wide and local strategies

Pages in Business funding and grants

Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations

Details of grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations

Brean and Berrow Business Support Grant

Small grants are being offered to local businesses in the Brean and Berrow Parish area who are impacted by the changes to Brean Pontins Holiday Park

UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Somerset

Somerset Council is receiving UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) from the Government for local investment

Pages in Regeneration and connectivity

Saxonvale in Frome

Information about the purchase of land to regenerate Frome town centre

Taunton Garden Town 2040

Taunton Garden Town and its Vision 2040 will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Taunton, unlocking public and private investment

Connecting Devon and Somerset Broadband

Information about the programme to provide superfast broadband infrastructure

Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency bid

A bid to build the Somerset Training Academy for Health and Social Care in the former Bridgwater Hospital

Levelling up Funding

An overview of the Levelling Up Funding bids across Parliamentary Constituencies in Somerset

Wellington Station

Re-opening Wellington Station to create a Devon and Somerset Metro network

Celebration mile

Celebration Mile is a project to create a pedestrian priority way leading from Bridgwater train station to the Docks that will celebrate and emphasise the history of the town

Town deals

Part of the Government's Town Deal initiative - includes visions, projects and members

Bridgwater South – Pride in Place

Pride in Place is a 10‑year programme giving Bridgwater South up to £20 million to support community‑led projects and local priorities

Road projects

We deliver Major Highway Schemes which have been identified through the Local Transport Plan process

Yeovil Refresh

Investing in Yeovil's future

Chard Regeneration

Investing in Chard's future

Wincanton Regeneration

Investing in Wincanton's future

Pages in Economic strategies, research and data

County wide and local Economic Strategies

Information on local and county-wide economic strategies 

Somerset Intelligence

Providing information and data on a wide range of topics

Somerset Recovery and Growth Plan

Developed in partnership with Somerset Council, business organisations and key stakeholders

Local Enterprise Partnership integration

Government plan to give responsibility for economic growth to democratically accountable local authorities

Somerset Economic Growth Board

A partnership of public and private sector representatives from across Somerset who work to shape the future economy of Somerset

Somerset Economic Prosperity Strategy 2025-2045

The Somerset Economic Prosperity Strategy sets out our approach to bringing about a step-change in economic prosperity in Somerset

Get Somerset Working

Get Somerset Working is Somerset’s response to the Government’s call for local action on economic inactivity

Town centres

Includes investment, support and improvements

Commercial land and property

Includes information on commercial lettings and property investments

Pages in Town centres

Markets

Information about markets taking place in Somerset

Town Centre Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

Information about town centre business improvement districts (BIDs)

Town centre promotional activity

Information on where you can promote your business, charity or event in Somerset

Pages in Commercial land and property

One Public Estate Programme

The Somerset One Public Estate Partnership is set up to pursue a range of exciting and innovative joint property projects across Somerset.

The Clean Surroundings Commercial Service – Sedgemoor

Information about the commercial services available to businesses and individuals

Commercial lettings

Information on council properties available for sale or rental

Commercial property investments

Find out about our investments.