Small businesses in Hazel Grove have been dealt a blow after the Conservative Chancellor cancelled business rate relief worth £1,500.

George Osborne has ended the business rate relief for small retailers that allowed struggling shops to save £1,000 in the year to March 2015 and £1,500 in the current financial year. Mary Portas and retail veteran Bill Grimsey expressed their frustration with the Government.

TV Business Guru Mary Portas said, “With some big businesses paying pitiful taxes, how about supporting the people who impact on our real life communities?”