BUSINESSES in Porthmadog are being encouraged to complete a local survey so that the town’s chamber of trade can challenge business rates.

Peter Bennet, chairman of Porthmadog Chamber of Trade, said: “We’ve distributed forms to all rented retail units in the High Street because we need them to tell us their annual rental in order to have robust discussions with the Valuations Agency Office about the high Business Rates in Porthmadog.

“We’ll be collecting the information this Saturday and urge businesses to have them ready.”

Lynne Evans, manager of the Tenovus charity shop, added: “Even though charity shops get rate relief, we need a thriving High Street for all and we’re very much a part of it. So we’re more than happy to help.”

Cllr Jason Humphreys said: “We need to build an accurate picture of the rents in Porthmadog because the rates for all shops are based on it, regardless of if they’re rented or privately occupied.

“One shopkeeper told us that his rates and rents in Porthmadog were three times that of another shop that he ran elsewhere. With the planned increases, he was seriously considering closing his Porthmadog concern.

“We intend to have an across the board discussion with the VAO, but we would still encourage shops to proceed with individual appeals from April.”