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Local retailers take call for changes to business rates to Westminster

Published:  21 October, 2014

Local retailers from across the country are descending on Westminster today to fight their corner for improvements in the system of business rates.

Local retailers from across the country are descending on Westminster today to fight their corner for improvements in the system of business rates.

They are joining a delegation led by the Association of Convenience Stores, that represents over 35,000 local and convenience store operators, to call for a serious of changes to make business rates more competitive.

It is suggesting the following changes:

 ?   Legislating to introduce a permanent 2% cap on annual increases in business rates and freeze rates for small businesses for at least two years.

?   Allow more businesses to qualify for the small business rate by increasing the threshold for qualification from £18,000 to £50,000 rateable value.

?   Increase the frequency of revaluations undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency to at least once every three years

?  Promote a greater use of discretionary rate relief in supporting high streets.

James Lowman, chief executive  of the ACS. said: "It is time for government to accept that it cannot increase the revenue it takes from businesses through property tax year after year without choking off the investment we need in our high streets, parades and other local centres.  Only a fundamental change in approach will work. In our submission to the Treasury we have set out immediate practical steps to cement the positive short term measures already taken to reduce the burden of rates on retailers."

The ACS' proposals have been backed by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group. Its chairman,  Simon Danczuk, added: "Cancelling a much needed revaluation has ensured that throughout this parliament many businesses have had to trade in difficult conditions while being burdened by unfair business rates that bear no relation to property values. This tax is holding back the recovery and stifling entrepreneurialism and it desperately needs reform. Whenever we debate the future of Britain's high streets, business rates remain the elephant in the room. I hope the Chancellor will act accordingly and make reforming this tax a priority in his Autumn Statement."

The ACS Heart of the Community Conference will include speeches from Business Minister Nick Boles MP, Labour Shadow Minister Steve Reed MP, Gerald Howarth MP and Lorely Burt MP.

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