WEST Oxfordshire District Council has announced what it will be doing to support local businesses. 

Some business properties will not be asked to pay their business rates this year.

These will be day nurseries, retail, leisure and hospitality, and those in government guidance, such as employment agencies and estate agents.

There will also be an additional grant of £10,000 for businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000, and £25,000 for businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000.

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The council aims to award the business rate relief and grants early this month.

Businesses do not need to do anything at present.

To help them, the council will not be collecting any business rates payments by direct debit this month.

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Instead, this payment will be deferred until all appropriate reliefs and grants have been applied.

Deputy leader Toby Morris said: “We want to help our local businesses weather the coronavirus storm so that they’re there for us when we get through this.”

Mr Morris added that more information for businesses is available on the council website and urged them to sign up to the Business Matters newsletter to receive regular updates.