Merton Council has revealed plans to give rate relief to small companies in the borough, as part of a package of measures aimed at boosting the local economy.

The council is pledging up to £1,100 of relief for local businesses that apply - but some experts have called for the cut to be made automatically.

The council has also urged residents to back the creation of a new credit union in the borough. The savings and loans co-operative would encourage people to save rather than borrow and provide low cost loans to members in times of need.

Diana Sterck, chief executive of Wimbledon Chamber of Commerce, called for the measures to be more easily available. She said: "I've just found that there seems to be an awful lot of talk about these initiatives but making the most of them requires an enormous amount of extra work for small businesses.

"It has to be made easier - at this point in time, business heads are down dealing with their own finances and trying to make sense of these new schemes takes vital hours out of a day which need to be spent looking at issues like cash flow."

Samantha George, deputy leader of the council, said: “We are committed to helping local businesses and residents through this challenging financial time. "I would really encourage everyone to register their support for a local credit union whether they personally need it or not as such a union will give those in most need more realistic financial flexibility.”

The new measures were announced by the council last week.

• For more information about rate relief for businesses, visit merton.gov.uk/smallbusinessrelief