As of last week, March 2009, the Government and Central Rating Office, removed all concessionary rates for small businesses in Kensington and Chelsea and many other areas in London. The rates were increased by 75% upwards to over 100% for some people. This has happened at a desperate time for small businesses in a vital community of London, loved by many people. All shopowners and small business owners were devastated last week to receive the vast increases of their rates bill. Many of the shops will close down as they cannot pay these rates as everyone is desperately struggling already. As from now we will be campaigning to get help to reduce the business rates, or freeze them, from April 4th we will start campaigning in Portobello to get as many people involved in keeping this community alive. Please sign our petition and send it on to as many people as you know to help or campaign and if you want to volunteer to raise more awareness that would also help enormously.we will be setting up a website next week. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and a huge thank you to all the wonderful people that have signed and supported and written comments, please pass on the petition to all friends or others that can help, please.....thankyou