Motion to replace business rates

Dear Sir,

I read with interest your leading article in last week's Chronicle about Shakeeze remaining open following a reduction in its rent.

Retailers and other business owners are being driven out of business by the high levels of rents and business rates all over the country.

The Liberal Democrats, at their autumn conference in a few weeks, will be debating a motion to replace business rates with a commercial landowner levy. This is a tax on the value of the land rather than what is above it and will result in an average 19% drop in tax in Cheshire East.

As well as making it easier for businesses such as Shakeeze to continue, this change will act as an incentive to invest in business premises and develop derelict land.

I will inform your readers in due course what the result was and whether by voting Liberal Democrat you can help to revitalise our High Street.

Yours faithfully,

(DR) PETER HIRST

Chairman,

Congleton Liberal Democrats.