A THIRD of high-street firms in England have missed out on promised business rate relief, according to new data.

At the last budget, the Tories claimed that 400,000 retailers, leisure and hospitality venues would be able to claim a 50 per cent discount on the commercial property tax, but via a Freedom of Information request to councils, property specialists at Gerald Eve found that just 272,000 have done so.

It comes as the industry experts warn that businesses could face a devastating £4.7 billion total increase in business rates next year unless action is taken.