MORE than 600 businesses in Huntingdonshire that get small business rate relief will shortly receive a refund.

MORE than 600 businesses in Huntingdonshire that get small business rate relief will shortly receive a refund.

As a result of a change in legislation announced in the March Budget, more than 1,100 businesses will also receive a reduction in their rates.

This change is effective from today (Friday) to September 30 next year, and revised bills will be sent out by Huntingdonshire District Council over the next few weeks, a council spokesman said.

Refunds will be issued to businesses with a rateable value of �6,000 and under, which will help them over the next year as they will not have to pay any rates until after next September 30.

Councillor Terry Rogers, whose executive responsibilities include finance, said: “We would encourage any business that has a rateable value under �18,000 to look into whether it qualifies for this relief.”

To be eligible for business rate relief, firms must not be paying business rates for another property elsewhere in England or Wales, and have a rateable value under �18,000. If they meet these criteria, they will receive a reduction from their full rates bill.

In addition, small businesses with a rateable value of less than �12,000 will receive a phased reduction in their rates bill. For businesses with a rateable value of less than �6,000 the reduction will be 100 per cent for the period from now until September 30, 2011.

INFORMATION: To find out if your business should receive business rate relief visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk to download an application form (details on eligibility are shown on the application form). Companies that already receive small business rate relief, providing their circumstances have not changed, will continue to receive it without having to re-apply.