Tax relief waiting to be claimed, traders told

SMALL traders in London were today being urged to claim an "invisible" tax relief that can save them £1,100 a year.

Only a third of the £200million available to firms under Small Business Rate Relief is taken up, trade organisations say. Take-up is low because councils do not publicise it, said Priyen Patel, policy adviser to the Federation of Small Businesses.

Tory small business spokesman Mark Prisk was today raising awareness of the tax relief in Battersea, saying: "Small shops and businesses are facing tough times."