Out-of-town shopping centres and high business rates are crippling small firms.

That is the view of Peter Brooks, who is taking the fight to keep open his family business to the Prime Minister.

Mr Brook owns Arthur Brook Menswear in Kirkgate, Silsden, which has traded for 102 years. It was started by his grandfather and carried on by his father. An incensed Mr Brook says his rates have increased by over £600 which means he will have to pay £5,000 in the coming year.

In a letter to Downing Street, Mr Brook says: "The Govern-ment, under Mr Blair, promised to help small businesses. Did he mean to help them successfully or to help them cease being in business altogether? Because the Government is going the right way about killing off all small retail outlets, whatever business they are in. Shops are struggling on the main street of any small town through competition from the shopping centres, mill shops and charity shops."

Mr Brook criticises the increase in rates which he says is well above inflation. The letter asks: "How much of these rates, whether business or domestic, does Silsden benefit from? not a lot - Bradford benefits."

He challenges Tony Blair to look at all the empty shops on any high street. "It speaks for itself, but high rates don't help," he says.

Mr Brook told the Keighley News: "People are just not coming into town anymore. They would much rather go to the White Rose Centre (at Leeds) or Meadowhall (at Sheffield). I would like to get all the traders together to see what can be done."

His calls are backed by Paul Hawkins, who owns Kaleid-ascope Kitchens, also in Kirkgate, Silsden. He has traded in the town for seven years.

"My rates have increased 14.6 per cent - inflation is at 2.4 per cent," he says. "Bradford council paints yellow lines on all the streets and then increases car parking charges. What incentives do people have to come to local shops?"

Mr Hawkins wants traders in Silsden get together. "I also intend to take the matter up with MP Ann Cryer," he says.

added.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.