Two leading Tories are promoting an online service to help small businesses discover if they are entitled to rate relief.

Reading East MP Rob Wilson and Reading West Tory Parliamentary candidate Alok Sharma say roughly half of eligible businesses do not claim small business rate relief because they do not know about it.

Now the pair hope to save qualifying small businesses up to £1,100 per annum by directing them to the Conservative Party website to check their eligibility and print off a form.

Eligible firms can then send the form to Reading Borough, Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire councils.

Mr Wilson said: “Our shops and businesses are facing tough times but they are the life blood of our economy and our community. 

“Alok and I want to help small businesses in Reading and this new online tool is a simple way that we can help firms survive.”

Mr Sharma added: “I recently conducted a survey of businesses located in the Reading West constituency which revealed that many SMEs are very concerned about how badly the economic downturn will hit them.

“Our small and medium-sized businesses need financial help now to preserve jobs in the local economy and rate relief is just one way that shops could save themselves up to £1,100 a year –

it is absolutely vital we help owners claim the amount they are owed.”

Find the link here: http://www.leaseholdersunited.com/smallbusinessraterelief/index.aspx