Empty Rates Relief Could Trigger Boom

A rise in the rate of demolition of unused office and factory buildings could be seen next year.

Increases of up to 20 per cent in business rates are being forecast, as hard-pressed local authorities seek to make up shortfalls in funding from central government.

This could push demolition rates sharply upwards, and also see the trend spread to central London, which has hitherto escaped the worst effects of the trend.