Business rates aren’t the only threat to towns

SIR – Recent letters (April 1) have rightly bemoaned the collapse of the high street, and the role played by extortionate business rates. However, three other government-inspired distortions have also played a part.

First, infrastructure for out-of-town shopping centres, funded by the state, has been a tax on the high street.

Secondly, rates on car parks mean the shopping centres that own them cannot afford to offer free parking to encourage shopping in towns.

Thirdly, the big (non-local) businesses that survive in the high street at the expense of local traders are nearly always quoted on the Stock Exchange, which benefits from inflation-boosted share prices to raise cheaper funds than small businesses. Rodney Atkinson

Stocksfield, Northumberland

SIR – Business rates are set and collected by local authorities – in our case the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – using a government multiplier on the rateable value, and they go towards funding expenditure in the local area.

Recently, approval was given to funding for a scheme to create seven extra parking spaces here in Sunningdale – at a cost of £250,000. The shops say that these additional spaces will attract more customers and improve their ailing businesses, which are burdened by ever-rising business rates.

However, to achieve the same end, would it not be simpler and cheaper to reduce their rateable values? Duncan Rayner

Sunningdale, Berkshire