Madam,

The closure of the Bearded Man shop is just another nail in the coffin for independent traders of Aberystwyth in general and Chalybeate Street in particular.

When are the members of our council going to get it into their collective heads that it’s impossible to ‘get blood out of a stone’? How can a shop find sums such as £2,000 per month due to a business rates rise and a levy for the BID scheme before they have even opened their doors to a single customer?

The whole of Aberystwyth is slowly being depersonalised into an amalgam of big name stores who have no interest in the wider aspect of the town.

Yes, they may employ local people to work in the stores, but the goods and services they sell are brought in from other areas and the takings and profits go heaven knows where - they certainly don’t stay in the town.

A Welsh Government spokesperson says: “The majority of businesses in Wales have seen a reduction in their non-domestic rates........” Are they able to give us details of which businesses have been so blessed?

They also say: “We have listened to the concerns of businesses and announced an extra £20m of support....” Again, are they able to give us details of those so blessed?

It would be great if these independent businesses could shout from the rooftops that they have had help from our wonderful council and that they are doing really well, thank you, in bringing secure jobs and prosperity to our town.

Your etc,

Sue Slocombe, Llanon.

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