STUNNED Stockton Heath traders fear the increase in business rates will pose serious ‘threats’ to their chances of ‘thriving’ in the village.

Traders have been notified that the increase, which equates to 44 per cent, is due to come into force in April next year.

Pure Indulgence owner Helen Harvey is among those to have slammed the move.

She said: “We were shocked to receive a letter informing us our business rates were increasing in April.

“It is difficult for us to see how this is justified and it will threaten small, independent businesses.

“There is no help from the Government because the rates in Stockton Heath are so high that they take us above the threshold for help, £18,000.

“We have already recently lost two more shops in Stockton Heath. The daytime footfall has decreased, possibly due to the lack of diversity of shops.

“The heavy traffic constantly travelling through Stockton Heath puts people off coming into shops, plus the problems with parking.

“All these factors make it very difficult for small, independent traders to thrive and to encourage new businesses.”

Warrington South MP David Mowat said it is time the council ‘came up with a proper growth strategy’ for the village.

He added: “Decisions on parking and business rates, while perhaps understandable in isolation, make no sense at all when applied at the same time.

“If the council is serious about maintaining Stockton Heath as a thriving economy, both during day and night, they need to engage with traders and come up with a joined-up approach to promoting business in the village.”

But council bosses have hit back.

A spokesman said: “If Mr Mowat is concerned about business rates he should take that up with the central Government agency which sets those rates.

“The council has no control over business rates.

“Before implementing the parking charges at Stockton Heath the council did consult with business representatives who were in favour of the changes.”