FURIOUS traders claim that half the small shops in Weymouth could be wiped out by huge business rate rises for 2005.

Some sites face increases of more than 80 per cent which they claim will cripple their livelihoods or may even force them to close.

Mike Perry, who runs film and music shop Nostalgia Unlimited in School Street, said he currently pays just over £2,000 in business rates but is now facing a 2005 bill for more than £3,700.

He said: "I think whoever does the rates assessment must think the streets of Weymouth are paved with gold. They are not.

"Every little business in town is struggling to keep its head above water against the big national chains.

"If this increase is pushed through then it could kill off half the small shops in Weymouth.

"There is no justification for a rise like this. If ordinary residents moan about a 10 per cent rise in council tax, then imagine how we feel getting that on our homes and this rates rise on our businesses.

I think small businesses ought to band together to fight the increase and if any group is set up then I will join it, too right I will."

Another 80 per cent rise hit his business neighbour Lanny Bach and her Bach Computers Shop.

She is currently paying about £2,400 in business rates but now faces a 2005 bill for more than £4,500.

She said: "That is a big ouch. It could be the straw which breaks the camel's back for some businesses, including ourselves.

"This increase will put us in a terrible situation where we could be forced out of business.

"No business can be hit by this sort of increase without feeling it badly.

"We operate on certain margins to survive and this increase will take us right to the edge. It is unbelievable, and I would certainly join any protest group."

David Bourne, who runs the Sweet Temptations shop in the Colwell Centre, was equally stunned by his 2005 business rate increase of 42 per cent.

He said: "I am currently paying £1,050 in business rates but from April 2005 I have been told I must pay £1,487.

"That is a 42 per cent increase for a stall that is barely 150sq ft.

"Life is tight and this will be a big slice out of the small profit we make.

"If a protest group is formed I would definitely join it."

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bill White said: "This is very serious.

"It is clearly an issue that the chamber has got to look at and get involved with, and we shall be trying to find out as much as we can."