London retailers call for lower business rates

London Businesses are pleading for a rates rebate to help them recover from last months terror attacks. They are supported by Westminster council. A similar scheme was put in place in Manchester following the IRA bombings. Business in London 's West End which includes retailers, hoteliers and restaurants has said that trading has been poor since the attacks. Council leader Simon Milton has said in a letter to Gordon Brown "The business rates collected from businesses here in central London are re-invested to support areas all over the UK . But, at the current time, it is central London that needs additional support; to enable our Capital to get back up and running in the wake of these terrorist atrocities."