BUSINESSES in Breckland facing hikes in the business rates this year are being invited to an event where they will be able to grill officials over how the rates were set.

BUSINESSES in Breckland facing hikes in the business rates this year are being invited to an event where they will be able to grill officials over how the rates were set.

Officers from the Valuation Office will be on hand to explain how they set the rateable values of business premises.

The event has been set up in response to concerns raised by companies at a consultation event for business ratepayers run by Breckland Council in November.

Many said they would be faced with a significant increase when the new rateable values come into effect in April this year.

Rateable values are reviewed every five years. New rates, set by central government, will be introduced in Breckland and will be collected by the district council for the government from April this year following a review.

Executive member for economic and commercial services, Mark Kiddle-Morris, who will be at the event, said: “Business rates are a significant outgoing for most companies and, at the November meeting, we found that many people did not understand how their new rateable values had been calculated, or did not agree with the new sum.

“This event will give businesses the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the revaluation methods used and find out about the appeals process”

The event, called Winners and Losers, will be held on February 18, from noon to 2.30pm at the Innovation Centre in Thetford.

It is free of charge but anyone wanting to attend is advised to book a place by calling Lindy Warmer on 01362 656870 by February 12.