PROPERTY agents have hit out at the Government's decision to postpone the next business rates revaluation until 2017, saying it will add more pain to struggling retailers and widen the North-South divide.

A revaluation was due in 2015, linking rates to rents in 2013, but the postponement means companies will have to pay business rates based on rents in 2008 – at the height of the market – until 2017.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said the measure will ensure firms don’t face un......for the full story register now for free or login below...