A WEST Somerset landlord says he fears for the future of rural pubs after his business rates went up by a "vast" £4,000 a year.

James Waller, owner of the Royal Oak, Luxborough, said he was shocked to find his bill for non-domestic rates from West Somerset Council had gone from £12,900 to nearly £16,500 for 2008/9.

He says turnover is holding up well compared to last year but he and other local landlords are now praying for a good summer as they struggle to cope with price increases from breweries, food suppliers and utilities, as well as the recent budget blow of higher taxes on alcohol.

He told the County Gazette: "I have got to put the price up to take into account the budget, but you can't put them too much because it would alienate customers.

"It's a vast increase in non-domestic rates. I've got to find another £4,000 from my bottom line, which is the same as employing a part time person."

Mr Waller has questioned the reasons for the increase as he pays over £200 a week extra for rubbish collection and there are no streetlights in Luxborough.

Mr Waller said he had turned down several offers from pub chains for the historic watering hole and says he has no intention of quitting.

But he fears for rural pubs in general.

"I'm about the only employer in Luxborough and there will be a lot of landlords who will be seriously considering whether its worthwhile working their guts out for 80 or 90 hours a week and handing all of the proceeds back.

"I don't think there is a future for pubs like this if this continues.

"When a pub goes in a village it ceases to be a village and becomes just a lot of dwellings."

A spokesman for West Somerset Council said: "Central government sets non-domestic rates and decides the level of transitional relief that businesses are entitled to. It is the government's decision to phase out this relief, not the local council's decision."

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