Small business rate relief

Hundreds of salons are missing out on the chance to save themselves money by applying for Small Business Rate Relief. According to the Local Government Association (LGA), half of the small businesses in England that qualify for the reduction in rates have not applied to their local authority to take advantage of the discount.The LGA claims that there is £400m left unclaimed in England. Take-up rates are highest in the North East where nearly 80% of eligible businesses have applied for relief. However in the North West, the area with the lowest take-up, only 25% of businesses are taking advantage. “Small businesses up and down the country are facing immense difficulties keeping their heads above water,” said LGA chairman Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart. “Hundreds of millions of pounds is sitting around waiting to be claimed by hard-pressed bosses of small firms. When local businesses are facing rising costs it is vital that they apply for the tax relief they are entitled to.” Sir Sandy advised businesses that they had “nothing to lose” by contacting their local council to check whether they qualify for Rate Relief.