London’s West End is braced for pain after business owners warned that proposed changes to business rates in the upcoming Budget could tip many into closure. Operators in retail, hospitality and leisure say the burden of rising property‑tax bills will come at the worst possible moment for an already fragile high street. In central London districts famed for tourism and premium retail real estate, a new higher multiplier on properties with significant rateable values could push costs to untenable levels. The West End alone is anticipated to absorb tens of millions of pounds in extra liability. Many businesses argue that past increases in national insurance, energy bills and inflation already squeezed margins. Members of the New West End Company, representing hundreds of shops, hotels and restaurants, have flagged that a 20 per cent rise in business rate bills would compound existing pressures. They warn that closures, job losses and retreat from physical storefronts are now realistic pr...