Bristol City FC faces a 120 per cent increase in business rates – but the club has moved to reassure fans they will not be forced to cover the extra cost.

After a revaluation exercise by the taxman, the club is faced with its yearly levy on Ashton Gate rocketing by around £103,000, to more than £190,000 next year.

It is among the 44 clubs in the Premier League and Championship that government opponents say will end up paying an extra £12 million a year in taxes on their grounds, under the new valuations of business properties.

Business rates are the commercial equivalent of council tax and are based on a company's rateable value. City's rateable value is currently £179,000 but under the reassessment that goes up to £457,000 next year.

The hike in costs was uncovered by Shadow Communities Minister Justine Greening who warned fans might end up footing the bill.

But Bristol City say the extra cost will be saddled by the club and its directors, not the supporters.

A club spokesman said: "Most clubs run at losses and ticket prices are set on a seasonal basis anyway, mainly based on what you expect the market to pay. In the end it will be the football club and directors that lose out, not our supporters."

The impact of the changes on other Coca Cola Championship clubs varies wildly, with Derby County's bill set to drop by 40 per cent while Reading's will go up by 213 per cent.

Bristol Rovers' home, the Memorial Stadium, is set to see its rateable value rise from £85,000 to £124,000 meaning its bill could go up by an estimated £20,000.

And the region's cricket clubs also face tax increases.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's bill is expected to rise from £23,000 to £42,000, an 82 per cent rise, while Somerset County Cricket Club's is predicted to go up from £24,000 to £35,000, up by 48 per cent.

Ms Greening said: "If clubs pass on these extra costs, it could mean even higher ticket prices for fans."

The Government insists that there will be more winners than losers from the valuation changes, which affect every business in the country.

A Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Football clubs and grounds are not treated any differently from any other business property and are liable for rates based on their rental value.

"More than a million businesses will see their rate bills fall next year as a result of the revaluation.

"Not a single extra penny in tax will be collected from the business rates revaluation, which will ensure each business pays its fair contribution and no more."

He said the Government had put in place £2 billion relief scheme to limit the impact for those hit by increases.

It is calculated the 20 Premier League teams' annual business rates bill will rise by a total of £9.8 million to £22 million next year.

How has your business been affected by the revaluation of rates? Contact the Bristol Evening Post newsdesk on 0117 934 3333.