Narberth Chamber of trade has written to the VOA (Valuation Office Agency) to ask for clarification of the rateable values for Narberth, with particular reference to retail.

The figures used to calculate the rateable value for the retail businesses in Narberth varies from £450 per m2 for shops on the High Street, to £60 per m2 for the new supermarket site on Spring Gardens.

Gordon Barry, secretary to the Narberth Chamber of Trade, said: "While we understand that the reason for the difference is that this site is designated in an area that is just outside of the town centre boundary, the reality is that it is close enough that it serves the same customers, and benefits from advantages like car parking and the town's footfall.

"The current rateable value calculation means that this site has a rateable value of £50,000 per annum, while smaller shops on the high street have their rateable values calculated using values nearly eight times higher, giving higher rateable values for some retail shops and of course higher business rates.

"We have written to ask them about this difference, as to our High Street members the figures produced seem unfair, given the advantages this new site enjoys."