Flooded businesses have been thrown a temporary lifeline after the Government agreed to give business rate relief for three months.

The move was accompanied by others to defer payment of VAT, PAYE and corporation tax for the three months to help flooded businesses affected by the weather, such as retailer Michelle Firminger, whose store near Falmouth was wrecked over Christmas (Retail Express January 14).

*For more read Retail Express on February 25