SEEING in the Echo another shop closing in the High Street Poole, I think unfortunately this will continue – partially due to the unfair rating system which is based against small businesses – and until the government changes the way it is worked out closing will continue.
Make the rates so they are in proportion to the number of customers using the business.
They are the ones that are using the infrastructure of the council to get there.
This will mean that larger businesses will pay more, not just more, but much more, this could be based on turnover.
The present system encourages out of town shopping centres, the rates they pay per square metre is a fraction of the same area of a small high street shop.
It was the same when we were in business in Parkstone years ago.
We were paying 40 per cent more per foot than large multiples close by and we couldn’t compete, We couldn’t change it then, they won’t change it now.
Multiples have too much power.
KEN ADAMS Glen Road, Poole
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