SMALL businesses in Radcliffe are being encouraged to take up their entitlement to business rate relief under a new Government scheme.

Bury Council is responsible for administrating the new small business rate relief scheme which has been brought in to help companies following the periodic revaluation of all non-domestic properties within the borough.

The system will come into operation on April 1 and will provide benefits for all businesses with a rateable value under £15,000 which apply for help and which meet the criteria. However, actual relief will only be available on a sliding scale for those businesses with a rateable value below £10,000.

The scheme reflects concern that business rates appear to form a proportionately heavier burden on small businesses than for larger businesses. The new scheme is designed to help small businesses in such a situation.

Eligible properties with a rateable value of less than £5,000 will receive 50 per cent relief, decreasing on a sliding scale of one per cent for every £100 in rateable value over £5,000 and below £10,000, at which point no relief is applicable. In addition, eligible properties will have their rate bill calculated on the small business non-domestic rating multiplier. This is 41.5 pence in the pound, whereas the standard multiplier is 42.2 pence in the pound.

Ratepayers who meet the criteria but whose business rateable value is above £10,000 and below £15,000 will be within the buffer zone. Although these ratepayers will not qualify for small business rate relief, their rate bill will be calculated on the small business non-domestic rating multiplier.

To help the council to identify those ratepayers who may be eligible for relief, all ratepayers who have properties with rateable values of under £15,000 will be issued with an application form and details of the eligible criteria, with their new rate bill.

Ratepayers within the buffer zone' must also submit an application in order for their rate bill to be calculated on the small business non-domestic rating multiplier.

For more information 0161 253 5035 or e-mail business rates@bury.gov.uk