LOCAL MP Rachel Gilmour has launched a petition calling for the Government to U-turn on its decision to axe business rate relief for hospitality businesses.

Mrs Gilmour wants the Government to re-evaluate the ‘disastrous decision’ to remove business rate relief for hospitality businesses from April.

A 75 per cent discount was introduced because of the Covid pandemic and later cut to 40 per cent before Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it would end completely this year.

Mrs Gilmour has heard distressing stories from small and medium-sized business owners across her Tiverton and Minehead constituency, which covers West Somerset and Exmoor, parts of the Culm Valley and Blackdown Hills, and parishes bordering Wellington.

Business owners told Mrs Gilmour they were finding it ‘incredibly difficult’ to continue operating.

Just this week, village pub The Chapel, in Cotford St Luke, announced it now needed a ‘significant increase in local support’ to remain open, referencing ‘further business rate increases due from April’ as one of the challenges it faced.

Mrs Gilmour said: “Many of our local pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and entertainment venues here in Tiverton and Minehead are already struggling with spiralling costs.

“Removing the current relief from April will mean their business rates will surge by 40 per cent or more.

“Our small and medium-sized businesses do not just contribute to our national economy, they create jobs, support local high streets, and bring our communities together.

“These businesses are the backbone of our rural communities.

“Unfortunately, the current trend means some businesses will be forced to close, and vital rural services will be lost.

“The Government must act to protect our high streets by amending these damaging changes.

“Please sign my petition, and let us show the Government that more must be done to protect our much-loved local businesses.”