A PACKAGE of measures to ease some of the pressure from business rates should make life easier for traders on the High Street, according to Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.

Ludlow has suffered a string of closures at the end of last year and in early 2014 including De Greys, Marches Outdoors and The Mail Room Restaurant.

Philip Dunne is backing Government support for businesses and high streets to further encourage small business growth and drive forward Britain’s economy.

“This Government is backing British business to drive economic growth and help build a recovery for all,” he said.

“I want to see small businesses creating growth and expanding, so I am pleased that the Government is doing more to ease the burden of business rates on small companies.

“From April, small shops, pubs and businesses with a rateable value of less than £50,000 will receive £1,000 off their rates bill for the next two years.

“This is being further supported by extending the doubling of small business rate relief until April 2015. Local firms taking on an extra property will also keep their small business rate relief for an extra year, helping small firms expand.

“To help get empty shops back into use, we are introducing a new reoccupation relief that halves rates for 18 months for businesses taking on a long-term empty shop.

“While there are clear signs that the Government’s long term economic plan is working, we need to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support businesses, create jobs and sustain economic growth. These measures will help rejuvenate our high streets and help Shropshire businesses to grow.”