Enfield Borough Council is urging small businesses to take a new relief scheme to help pay towards their rates.

If they qualify for Discretionary Rate Relief, small firms can benefit by up to £1,000 over the next two financial years.

Businesses must have a rateable value of less than £50,000 to qualify for the government-led scheme.

Councillor Andrew Stafford, cabinet member for finance and property for Enfield Council, said: “Enfield Council is a council that does all it can to support businesses of all sizes, but recognises that smaller business sometimes need a little extra help.

“The council is absolutely committed to creating a thriving and successful retail sector and supporting small businesses is a key part of that strategy.”

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois said: “The key thing here is that businesses must apply to the council in order to access the £1000 business rate relief. Enfield Council should have put this on the business rates forms it has sent to businesses but it seems more concerned with trying to take the credit for the Conservative-led government's actions than actually helping people."