COUNCILLORS have decided to provide additional rate relief for small businesses in Richmondshire.

The District Council will help those facing large increases because of the loss of small business or rural rate relief.

Affected ratepayers will pay no more than £600 additional rates during 2017/18 compared to 2016/17.

The council has previously granted relief to almost 60 pubs which can receive up to £1,000 per property.

Members of the Council’s Corporate Board are also looking to limit increases for businesses facing more than an eight per cent increase in business rates in 2017/18 compared to the previous year.

Government funding will support the schemes, so the council are not expected to be out of pocket.

Council leader Yvonne Peacock said: “These three schemes will limit increases suffered by businesses because of the revaluation of business properties that came into effect from April 2017.

“It is important that we support our local businesses – especially those small traders that are facing large increases. They are the backbone of Richmondshire.”