BUSINESSES in Lancashire face a big leap in rates from this April, according to surveyors.
And the sharp increases in rateable values will place a major financial burden on companies across the region.
"Retailers and the office sector will be particularly hard hit," warned Blackburn-born Andrew Duckworth, joint senior partner with chartered surveyors Smith Hodgkinson, which has offices in Chorley.
"As revaluations are only carried out every five years, current rates are based on commercial property rents dating back to April 1993." "With all commercial property affected by this new legislation, it is likely that the Inland Revenue's Valuation Office will face a barrage of appeals."
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