Government is listening over Ludlow business rates

Both Ludlow's Chamber of Trade and the region's MP have said town businesses now at least have the ear of government valuation officials over fears changes to business rates may force some to the wall – though no promises have been made following a visit by the town by the UK's chief valuation officer.

Many of Ludlow's independent high street businesses, some a fixture of the town centre for decades, are looking at huge increases.

Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, said there had been little or no increase in rental values between 2008 and 2015 but now some streets were facing huge rises, with Church Street businesses looking at as much as 74 per cent, Broad Street 61 per cent and Castle Street 50 per cent.

"The shops that have been hit hardest are those flagship stores, positioned in prominent locations, present for many years," she said.

"It is these unique shops that are the ones that create the special character of Ludlow."

She said three government officers had come to town to speak with businesses and traders were now compiling figures to send them over the coming weeks.

She said: "They are willing to look at the data we send them which may change things. They are listening basically, but made no promises – at least now it feels like we have their ears."

The new rates came into force in April and Shropshire Council also had yet to put in a place a scheme for handing out a £650,000 grant for small firms struggling with business rates.

"Some people are now paying very large amounts of cash which is a worry," she said.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, said: "In this latest revaluation Ludlow businesses, especially retailers, pubs and holiday lettings providers seem to have been particularly adversely impacted by large increases compared with the previous valuation.

"The chief valuation officer came to Ludlow, with the regional director and local Shropshire officer, so they could hear more about the impact of these increases on local businesses.

"We met with representatives of the Ludlow Chamber of Commerce, Ludlow Town Council and a local ratings expert, making the case to the VOA that these steep increases did not reflect conditions on the ground, and could damage businesses which are vital to our local economy and sustain many jobs.

"No commitments were made, other than a willingness to consider evidence from traders, but we felt this was an encouraging meeting, hopefully to help keep Ludlow special," he said.