How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "Packed meeting hears that business rates hitting our traders are 'not sustainable'."

One of the key issues coming out of the meeting over Sidmouth's high streets...
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "MP vows to take town's high street woes to Government - and calls for future vision"

... was business rates - which has vexed local businesses for some time now:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > make business rates fairer

And it has vexed businesses throughout the country:
Futures Forum: Revolt against business rates: UK entrepreneurs pay more than France and Germany combined

What is particularly galling is what is perceived as the unfairness of the current system:
Business rates changes 'are threat’ to High Streets - BBC News
What are business rates, why is the Government hiking them, and why are people so angry? | The Independent
'Business rates are the most unfair tax EVER', says former Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis  | This is Money
Give SMEs a break on business rates - MoneyWeek
Business rates shake-up is 'disgraceful, sneaky and unfair' - Telegraph

One solution which is not on the table is to charge supermarkets a higher business rate:
Futures Forum: District Council decides against the Local Retail Levy

All these issues were brought up at the meeting a fortnight ago: click on article to enlarge:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald
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