High business rates are discouraging new traders and shopkeepers from setting up in a forgotten south Essex town, a senior councillor claims.

Empty shop units are commonplace in South Woodham Ferrers and will remain empty unless action is taken to cut bills, says Malcolm Case, vice-chairman of the town council.

His views have been echoed by town centre trader Sarah Skinner, who is a member of the business association.

However, Inland Revenue bosses, who set the rates, said they are based on market value and on rent, but anyone can appeal against their bills.

Many of the shop units in the town centre are owned by supermarket giant Asda, which runs the local superstore.

The company said it negotiates fair rents and claims the reasons for the problems in the town are more complex than simply looking at rates and rents.

Mr Case said: "In my opinion, shopkeepers are leaving because the business rates are too high."

Mrs Skinner, who runs Ruskin Crafts, in Herald Way, said: "The problem we have here is we don't have much passing trade. In somewhere like Chelmsford you can have 2,000 passing by your shop every day. Here, we are lucky if we see 200."

An Asda spokeswoman said: "We are aware demand for rental property has declined in the town. "The cause of this is a great deal more complex than just looking at business rates and rental figures."

She added: "We negotiate fair rates with our tenants based on market conditions."

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002