The budget: what will Leicestershire councils look for?

Although the rates for companies are set nationally, it is the local authorities that send the invoices to companies and collect the payments. There are districts and boroughs throughout Leicestershire, and they too have their own financial constraints.

These councils also make decisions on whether companies are eligible for a business rate reduction.

Municipalities keep half of the money raised and will undoubtedly want that income to be retained.

But for entrepreneurs like Nicki Worthington, who runs the Coal Bunker Cafe in Coalville, it’s time to cut this tax.

“Business rates can be very damaging. There’s a lot going on that people don’t see,” she said.

“People always assume that if you own your own business, you have a lot of money… and that’s not the case.”

Her company also helps smaller independent traders with unit space and display cabinets in her café building, to keep costs to a minimum.

She says VAT and energy prices are other issues the government needs to consider when helping small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector.

“It has to be looked at across the board,” she says.