BIG supermarkets could be charged a "levy" to top up local authority coffers, if "trailblazing" plans from Derby City Council come to fruition.
The authority is taking the lead on pushing for a new law that would allow councils to charge supermarkets a new tax on large sites.
If it was successful, the authority says the move could raise up to £1.64 million a year in Derby which could be used to protect services currently at threat from cuts.
It already appears to have 63 other councils nationwide backing the proposal.
Councillor Ranjit Banwait, the authority's deputy leader said it was "an exciting opportunity for big businesses to work together" with the authority.
The council wants an 8.5% annual levy to be put on "large supermarkets or large retail outlets with an annual rateable value not less than £500,000".
This means the amount of annual rent that the properties would command on the open market.
The power already exists in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
