Slaithwaite bookshop owner fears final chapter after rates increase five-fold

Jun 30 2009 By Dave Himelfield

A VILLAGE bookshop owner claims her business will have to close after her business rates increased five-fold.

Melanie Roberts opened ‘Books & ??????’ six years ago, at Britannia Road, Slaithwaite, selling new and used books and CDs.

The shop is also used as a gallery for local artists.

As a small business owner she received a 50% reduction in her business rates and paid about £600 a year.

But in April 2008 Ms Roberts began renting two units across the road at Britannia Mills for extra storage.

The Valuation Office decided, as she was renting two properties, she no longer qualified for a small business discount and would have to pay £3,082 to cover her rates from April 2009 to March 2010.

She appealed against the decision, but Huddersfield Magistrates issued an order for Ms Roberts to pay the full amount.

Ms Roberts plans to launch an appeal to the Valuation Office, the Government department which sets business rates, and apply for hardship funds from the council.

She says she will have to close the business if she has to pay the increased rates and will be unable to pay off the debt.

Ms Roberts, 56, of Slaithwaite said: “The system is totally discriminatory against small businesses.