AROUND 100 people turned up to protest against the rise in business rates in Monmouth on Saturday.

The protest, which was held on Monnow Street outside Coffee #1, was organised by shop owner Steve Porter. A petition against the rate increase was also signed by hundreds of people on the day.

Last year it was announced by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) that some UK businesses would see a business rate increase of more than 40 per cent in rateable values from April this year, depending of the rental value of their property.

Mr Porter, who runs Steve’s Bookshop in Monmouth town centre, said he is “disgusted” over the rocketing business rates and is determined to stop the increase.

“The rise in business rates is absolutely disgusting and something drastic needs to be done about it,” said Mr Porter.

“It just doesn’t make sense at all. One of the local independent businesses up the road from me is seeing their rates go from £500 to £8,500.

“Businesses here are just breaking even now, they won’t be able to afford to stay open with the increases.”

The announcement of a £10m targeted relief scheme to help businesses in Wales - with eligible retailers able to claim up to £1,500 in support - hasn’t come of much comfort Mr Porter said.

Mr Porter said: “It’s basically relieving people of an increase that they won’t be able to afford to pay in the future. This relief scheme is basically a long rope which is slowly strangling people.”

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay also expressed concerns.

He said: “While any additional relief to help small businesses cope with the massive rise in their business rates from April is welcome, for many facing hikes of thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, £1,500 is a drop in the ocean.”