NEW business rates have been met with a mixed reaction across the county - with West Somerset businesses shocked to be facing the biggest increase in the UK.

The average increase in business rates for the district is 65.8 per cent, more than twice as much as the next highest region.

Alex de Mendoza, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Commerce, said: “It does seem incredible, especially in an area that is struggling economically. As a district, news like this happens time and time again.

“I am surprised that the figure is so high when we are in the position we are. We are 354th out of 354 for regional economic improvement.

“I know that people will be reviewing the figure and the only thing we can do is wait and see the final number.”

However, Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, believes the sharp increase is as a result of the revaluation of Hinkley Point B.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “Our business rates are skewed by Hinkley B business rates (not A or C).

“A re-evaluation independent of government of Hinkley B has changed its value from £8million to £28million. There is no rhyme or reason as to why it has increased by so much.

“EDF are likely to appeal the evaluation and rightly so. It is a pain because it means West Somerset Council has to put money aside, and it will take time to sort out and causes a complete period of uncertainty for both parties. The evaluation value is quite ridiculous. Why it is £28million I have no idea.

“I have already spoken with the chancellor Phillip Hammond, Marcus Jones (minister for local government), Sajid Javid (secretary of state for communities and local government) and Greg Clark (secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy).

“The timescale is crucial. We need to get this sorted in the next month or so. I am perturbed.

“I need government to work with me to come up with a solution and it is currently a work in progress. I will not take this lying down and will not stop until it is sorted.”

Elsewhere in Somerset, the average change in business rates is a decrease of 10.5 per cent in Taunton Deane, a decrease of four per cent in Sedgemoor and a decrease of 6.9 per cent in South Somerset.

Colin Barrell, president of Taunton Chamber of Commerce, said: “I think it would be fair to say that whether you think the business rates review is a good idea will depend entirely on how your own bill for your business has been affected.

“At first glance it would appear that retail and hospitality businesses in the centre of Taunton will have benefitted.

“However, I would urge all business owners and managers to check their rates by visiting the Valuation Office website. The one thing that seems to have improved is the speed that you can have your case checked.

“I challenged the fact that one of my businesses had no change to the rateable value despite every other shop and café in the vicinity having changed for the better. Within five days it had been sorted.”

“As far as West Somerset is concerned, the headline figure of 65 per cent increase seems to be totally out of line with other areas.

“I would firstly have to question which sectors in particular have had the big hits and, if despite the large percentage increase in the valuation, many of those businesses will still be exempt from paying anything due to a relief system for those where the rateable value is not above a certain figure.

“I don’t think we have heard the last of this yet. I am led to believe that the weighting of the change is supposed to be putting more of the cost on businesses in London and the South East and less of the burden on the rest of the country.

“Generally that sounds like a good thing unless you live in the South East, but as always, the devil is in the detail.”

Marcus Fysh, MP for South Somerset, said: “Most of the changes in business rates are very positive including raising the threshold and further exemptions and I’ve been calling for measures like this to help our High Streets and small businesses. However the Valuation Office has thrown up some serious changes and I’ve been hearing from a number of businesses whose rates are going up.

“I have been lobbying the Chancellor to find ways to stop any dramatic increases, and I hope that is possible, but I’d like to see the whole system of business rates reassessed to move away from rateable values and give our great independent shops, pubs and others a chance against the online giants.”