FURIOUS Minehead shopkeepers are planning appeals over their new business rates valuations, which come into force in April, after they found that shops on opposite sides of the same street are being charged at different rates.
It follows the news that West Somerset is facing the biggest average business rates valuation increase in the UK – 65.8 per cent - twice as much as the next highest region.
This compares with a four per cent decrease in neighbouring Sedgemoor and 10.5 per cent drop in Taunton Deane.
“Firms on industrial estates in the town have really been hammered, while some shops don’t pay any business rates at all,” said Will Rayner, owner of the Courtyard Framing art shop in Friday Street.
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Mr Rayner said that the original increased valuation on his shop – on the right-hand side of the street away from town – was 26 per cent, while that on shops on the left-hand side, 20 yards away, were 43 per cent lower.
“When we complained , the Valuation Office had another look and made some changes, but there is still a big difference.
“We will be paying £190 a square metre - up from £150 – but shops on the other side of the street will be paying £140.
“To make matters worse, the valuation on a workshop attached to our premises has soared by 161 per cent.
“We will certainly be appealing against our valuation, but apparently it could take up to two years for a result.
The only reason I can think of for the difference is that our side of the street gets more sun!
“Some businesses I’ve spoken to in Minehead just don’t know how they will find the money for these huge increases. What’s happening in West Somerset is just crazy.”
This week West Somerset council leaders warned that the massive rates valuation increase could threaten the stability of the council’s financial position, particularly due to the risk of large refunds having to be paid if local businesses appeal against their valuations.