TRADERS claim there will be twice as many empty shops in Frinton if a planned business rates hike goes ahead.

Frinton and Walton Chamber of Commerce said its members were already struggling in the economic downturn.

The Valuation Office Agency, which lists how much properties are worth for the purposes of council tax and non-domestic rates, is carrying out a revaluation this year.

The review, which takes place every five years and will come into effect on April 1, will see rates across the country go up or down depending on the rental value of the property.

Ken Thornton, who runs Thornton’s ironmongers in Connaught Avenue, said his business was facing a rates increase of about 30 per cent.

He added: “We already have five empty shops and five charity shops in Frinton. This time next year it will be double.

“I phoned the agency to ask why the valuation had gone up when the price of commercial property had fallen by 40 per cent in the past two years.We can’t do anything about it.”

Another businessman, Jon Wright, of Wright’s butchers in Connaught Avenue, said he expected his rates bill to go up by between 20 and 30 per cent.

Jamie Nicoll, chairman of the chamber of commerce, said: “In the current economic climate, it is unfair to level these increases on businesses which are already struggling.

“We will take it up with the Essex Chambers of Commerce to see what is happening, and raise it with Harwich MP, Douglas Carswell, to see if he can lobby at Government level.”

The agency said the revaluation was not designed to raise extra revenue from business rates, but was used to ensure rates were in line with changes in the property market.