FEARS are growing that Ledbury town centre will soon look like "a mouth with only half its teeth", because of the number of shops that have been closing.

One finger of blame is being pointed at the business rate revaluation, which according to Cllr Bob Barnes, chairman of the town's finance and general purposes committee, raised one Ledbury trader's rates this financial year by 50 per cent.

Cllr Barnes, who declined to name the business concerned, said: "He appealed, but his appeal was overturned."

Cllr Barnes added: "We are concerned that shops are closing, but they are closing for different reasons. In the past few years, for example, several shops have closed when the rents were increased."

He stressed that business rates were collected by Herefordshire Council, not the town council, but that town council remaining welcoming to any new shops wanting to move to the town.

Cllr Barnes also said he had called into shops in Worcester, to see if they might be interested in opening a branch in Ledbury; but he added: "Perhaps it is not economically viable for a lot of businesses."

Ledbury people have expressed concerns about the closures, not least because of the recent closure of the Llandinabo Farm Shop in the Homend.

Local resident, Hilary Jones said: "The town centre will soon end up looking like a mouth with only half its teeth.

"Two I know about – Four Oaks moved to France, and Fab have been closing down gradually for six months; but what about Llandinabo and In Stark Contrast?"

Georgina Polly Hawkins, on the Facebook site, Voice of Ledbury, said: "If rental of a shop is, say £1,000 a month, with business rates on top of this, plus electric and so on, you really have to go some to make a living. Perhaps rentals costs are not helping either?"

Judy Baker painted a picture of gradual decline.

She said: "I see everything diminishing. Ledbury used to be a thriving town loads of different shops. All we have now is more charity shops and they cost more to shop in than some chains."

And Terry Wilkins expressed concerned about the number of shops that have opened and closed in recent years.

He said: " Once upon a time Ledbury had all the shops that locals are now wanting.The majority of those shops closed down.You have to ask yourself why? Its also interesting to remember the number of shops that have opened and then closed.It's dozens and dozens and dozens."

But there is still optimism, with retailers set on moving in.

Alison Cooper said: "We will be opening in 2018 as Just Rachel Ice Cream Parlour at the Top Cross. Hopefully we will buck the trend."

Herefordshire Council says the rates have gone up at an average of 2.8 per cent, and the rise is down to a Central Government directive.

A spokesman said: "Business rate revaluation will always have an impact on businesses, whether it’s a decrease or an increase. The increase in rateable value from 1 April 2017 compared to the previous financial year was 2.8%.

"Some shops may be eligible for small business rate relief or rural rate relief and relevant support. There is more information available on the council’s website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/businessratesrelief."

But the spokesman added: "There may be other contributing factors to the viability of local businesses, including rental costs."