If you run a business in Manor Royal, you’re at the heart of Crawley’s economic powerhouse. What you might not realise is that your location isn't just convenient for Gatwick; it places you within a specially designated area called the Gatwick Diamond Enterprise Zone.

This government initiative is designed to supercharge business growth, and for qualifying businesses, it offers one perk that is exceptionally valuable. While in the past there were special tax breaks on equipment, the rules have changed. Today, the unique, postcode-specific advantage of being in the zone is a major discount on one of your biggest overheads: your business rates bill.

This guide will break down this powerful incentive in plain English, so you can make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

The Big Perk: A Five-Year Holiday on Your Business Rates Bill

For businesses moving into the Enterprise Zone, this is the most immediate and impactful financial benefit. Qualifying businesses can receive a huge discount on their business rates, freeing up vital cash for growth.

Here’s how it works:

• The Deal: You can get up to 100% relief on your business rates bill.
• The Limit: The saving is capped at £55,000 per year.
• The Duration: You can claim this for five years running.

That’s a potential total saving of up to £275,000. For a growing business, that’s a game-changing amount of cash that can be reinvested into hiring staff, marketing, or developing new products.

Who is it for?

This relief is specifically designed to attract new businesses to Manor Royal. To be eligible, your business must move into a qualifying property within the Enterprise Zone before 31st March 2026.

It's crucial to check your specific address, as not all of Manor Royal falls within the designated boundary. Businesses already located in the zone are generally not eligible for this particular scheme.

What you need to do:

This isn't an automatic discount. It’s a discretionary relief, meaning you must formally apply for it directly through Crawley Borough Council.

What About Tax Breaks on Equipment? Understanding the National Picture

You might have heard that Enterprise Zones used to offer special tax breaks on equipment, known as Enhanced Capital Allowances. It’s important to know that this is no longer the case. These zone-specific allowances were phased out in 2020.

The good news? The UK government now offers incredibly generous tax reliefs on equipment to all companies, regardless of their postcode. The main schemes in 2025 are:

• Full Expensing: This allows a company to deduct 100% of the cost of new and unused qualifying plant and machinery from its profits in the year of purchase.
• Annual Investment Allowance (AIA): This provides 100% relief on the first £1 million of most plant and machinery costs each year.

So, while you no longer get a special equipment tax break for being in Manor Royal, you still benefit from these fantastic national schemes. The real magic happens when you combine these national reliefs with the local business rates discount.

Real-World Example: A Tech Firm Relocating to Crawley

Let’s look at a tech company moving from a pricey London office to a new base in Manor Royal in 2025.

• They lease a property with a calculated annual business rates bill of £40,000.
• They also invest £250,000 in new servers, computers, and office equipment.

Here’s how the combination of local and national perks works for them:

1. The Local Perk (Business Rates): As a new business moving into the Enterprise Zone, they apply to Crawley Borough Council and are granted 100% Business Rates Relief. This completely wipes out their £40,000 bill. Annual Saving: £40,000.
2. The National Perk (Capital Allowances): They can claim Full Expensing on the entire £250,000 of new equipment. At a Corporation Tax rate of 25%, this deduction reduces their tax bill by approximately £62,500 in the first year.

By moving to Manor Royal, they get a huge national tax break on their investment plus a unique, location-specific holiday on their business rates. This powerful combination makes the move incredibly financially attractive.

Are You Making the Most of Your Crawley Location?

The unique, postcode-specific advantage of the Enterprise Zone today is the substantial Business Rates Relief. It’s a valuable incentive that directly reduces your overheads and improves your cash flow from day one.

Navigating the application process and structuring your finances to take advantage of both local and national reliefs requires expert knowledge. An accountant who understands the current rules and the local landscape can be your guide.

If your business is based in Manor Royal, or you’re considering a move, let’s have a chat. Get in touch today to ensure you’re not leaving these valuable reliefs on the table.