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  I know that the businesses here are now getting forms from the VOA in Folkestone about what their business rates are going to be in 2010 and some of them just will not be able to pay this increase - they're struggling with the current rates, let alone an increase of over 50% and reducing the poundage to 43 (from 48.1) pence won't help that much.
  
  Dover businesses just can't take these increases, but who can help them ?
  
  I know one small business whose rates are going up by over 60% and they just are not going to be able to pay this increase.
  
  The VOA just keep increasing and increasing them without any due consideration of the fact that we're in a recession, or the companies ability to pay.
  
  They are of course working for the Government and despite all their rhetoric about helping small businesses, they aren't helping at all - in fact they are doing exactly the opposite.
  
  If something isn't done, we (and many other Towns up and down the Country) are going to have a lot more holes in the High Street come next April.
  
  Logic tells me they should be doing something about these increases - like NOT implementing them next year - they (the Government) will of course receive less money if there's less businesses operating, so it makes sense to reduce the poundage, but leave the valuations as they are.
  
  
  
  
  Roger

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