Half of the South East's shops, cafés and attractions may now pay no business rates.
But the bigger story in today's Budget is what happens in 2028.
That is when three things converge for our region:
1⃣ The first mayors for Sussex & Brighton and Hampshire & the Solent take office
2⃣ Mayors start receiving a share of income tax raised locally
3⃣ Powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy come into force
Put simply: from 2028, more of the money that shapes our coast, countryside and town centres will be raised and spent here.
That is a real opportunity. It is also a risk for a visitor economy already absorbing a 3.9% minimum wage rise, with no hospitality VAT cut and little rates help for hotels and larger attractions.
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