Firms urged to seek rate relief

Small businesses have been urged to seek help with paying their rates

Small businesses across part of Sussex have been sent reminders that they can get help with paying their rates.

Mid Sussex District Council, which covers East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, has urged any firm that gets a letter to apply.

Councillor Sue Seward said: "Getting your business rates reduced could be a real help during these tough times."

The national scheme is open to firms with rateable values between £5,000 and £15,000, and can reduce payment by 50%.

Ms Seward said the scheme is funded by government and managed by local councils.

She said business clinics were also being offered to small firms by Sussex Enterprise.

And advice sessions were also available from Business Link Sussex, which had teams up with the council to offer help.

Help advice was also available from the Gatwick Diamond Iniatitive, which was aiming to develop the area into a "world-class business location", she added.