Extortionate business rates being paid by traders and shop owners in Tenby are 'crippling' the town, according to a local county councillor.
Clr. Michael Williams has called for business rates to be scrapped for the next two to three years, to try and get the town's economy back on track.
"Tenby is being crucified with the high rates that businesses are having to pay, something has to be done about it now, because it is having a crippling effect on the town," said Clr. Williams.
Tenby traders have recently rounded up and called for an urgent meeting with the Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism to discuss the high percentage of rates they are having to fork out.
Among those who want the matter resolved as soon as possible is Chris Hughes, of TP Hughes and Son Ltd.
"Word has been going around amongst many of the local shops and businesses that it is time to get together and start discussions on the high rates we are paying, which many believe is leading to the degeneration of our town centre in Tenby," explained Mr. Hughes.
Clr. Williams will also lobby the Welsh Assembly Government on the concerns that businesses have, using Tenby's centre as an example of how the current economic climate is affecting small towns.
"The TP Hughes store is a good example of how shopkeepers are suffering for no logical reason," said Clr. Williams. "They have recently carried out improvements to the premises and are now being penalised for this; it just doesn't make any sense."
"The best thing that could be done is to get rid of the business rates for the next two to three years; nobody knows where they go anyway!"
"The Chamber of Trade and Tourism are soon to circulate a questionnaire amongst the town's businesses to survey their problems.
"We need to build a comprehensive case to show what damaging effect the high business rates are having," stated Clr. Williams, adding that the AM for Mid and West Wales, Nerys Evans, was scheduled to come down and meet with traders on the matter.
He also said he would be in contact with the Welsh Assembly's Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, to highlight the problems that Tenby's businesses are experiencing.