The Daily Telegraph

Moribund high street

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SIR – Lt Col Steevenson (Letters, March 24) is quite right: business rates are outdated and reform is overdue.

It is vital to preserve the wonderful vibrancy and diversity of our town centres, along with the economic and social benefits that they bring. We need a Chancellor with the gumption to level the playing field.

Rates need to reflect the advantage that edge-of-town supermarke­ts, which sell far more than just food, enjoy over the independen­t retailers.

Also, town centre parking should be free for two hours, as it is in many towns in France. This would encourage people to venture into towns without effectivel­y being taxed for doing so. Charlie Bladon

Dorchester, Dorset

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