AN estimated 410 local shops, pubs and restaurants in West Devon could see their tax bills cut by a third because of tax cuts for small businesses which took effect recently. One of West Devon's two Conservative MPs Mel Stride welcomed the move, describing it as a 'real boost' for market towns in his Central Devon constituency, such as Okehampton, Hatherleigh, North Tawton and Chagford. Measures that took effect on April 1 include £1,000 off business rate bills for all retail premises with a rateable value up to £50,000 for 2014/15 and 2015/16, a two percent cap on everyone's business rate increases, a new re-occupation relief, which will halve the rates bills of businesses taking over premises empty for over a year, the doubling of Small Business Rate Relief is being extended to April 2015 and expanded — with 360,000 businesses properties paying no rates at all and businesses will be able to pay their bills over 12 months, rather than ten, to help them with their cash flow. Mr Stride said: 'Ninety-five percent of the employers in my constituency are small businesses employing less than ten people and many will benefit from one or more of the measures taking effect. 'Tax cuts help businesses to grow and create the jobs we need to ensure high streets in small market towns thrive.'