THE CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer called for big retailers to play their part in revitalising Thornbury High Street on a visit to the town last week.

This year’s Autumn Statement included a £130 million package of extra Help for the High Street - with smaller shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants receiving a 50 per cent increase in their business rates discount.

About 29,000 retail properties in the South West are estimated to benefit from the £1,500 retail discount – including 1,350 in South Gloucestershire.

Chancellor George Osborne said: “We have again helped High Street small businesses deal with the burden of business rates.

“High Street shops, pubs and cafes across Britain have a massively important role to play – which is why we have increased their business rates discount to £1,500.

“This boost, helping them to grow, is not just part of the government’s long-term economic plan, it is also an important part of supporting our communities.”

Speaking to the Gazette during his visit last Friday (December 12), Mr Osborne said: “I want big retailers to play their part by bringing larger national chains to rural high streets. I also want councils to keep more of the money they raise through things like council tax to make sure that appropriate development is made in the right places.”

The Chancellor was supporting the campaign of the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Thornbury and Yate constituency Luke Hall.

Mr Hall said: “As a local man it’s hugely important to have George Osborne in Thornbury supporting my work.

“My campaign is all about getting out and meeting people across the Thornbury and Yate constituency. Most of my time is spent knocking on doors and talking to local people about issues that affect them.

“Today, with the Chancellor, I continued that as we visited three fantastic businesses on Thornbury High Street."

An estimated 76,000 South West small businesses will benefit from doubling of Small Business Rate Relief from April 2015, with 54,000 paying no rates at all.

This is in addition to a relief to help empty shops get back into use, announced in the Autumn Statement 2013.