A HASLEMERE shopkeeper has helped every trader in the town benefit from a 20 per cent cut in their business rates.

Her actions are set to bring thousands of pounds of savings to local shops and traders.

The cut follows the disruption caused to local businesses in the town following 10 weeks of road works.

Kathleen Farrow from Second Thoughts, the dress agency in Haslemere High Street, appealed for a temporary reduction in her business rates because of the downturn in trade during the High Street closure and roadworks.

Undeterred by many who believed her appeal to the valuation office would fall on deaf ears, she also enlisted the help of local MP Virginia Bottomley in her fight.

ÒNobody would believe it was worth doing, but I am absolutely thrilled to bits,Ó said Mrs Farrow, who thanked the MP for her efforts.

ÒI was sick of all the road works in the town over the last three years,Ó she told The Herald.

She said that she had put up with water engineers, electricity repairs, installation of special ramps for wheelchairs, followed by another two years of renovation and building work to the Georgian House Hotel.

ÒThe dust and muck has been incredible and eight to 10 weeks of roadworks were the last straw.Ó

But it wasnÕt all plain sailing - Mrs Farrow first received a letter from a valuation officer saying that she was not entitled to rate relief because she was the only one who had complained.

Following a letter the president of Haslemere Chamber of Trade, Melanie Odell, sent out to traders about the matter, she received some 20 replies saying that other traders would be interested in appealing for rate relief.

In a letter replying to Mrs Odell, valuation officer Andy Thompson said that after seeing for himself the effects of the roadworks, he agreed Òthat the rating assessments of the effected shops should be temporarily reduced until such time as the works are completeÓ.

ÒNormally I would rely on the occupiers of properties that are affected to make proposals for a reduction, but because of the nature of the nuisance I intend to take action straight away to deal with this.Ó

He also said: ÒI appreciate that some traders will have seen their profits fall by more than 20 per cent for at least part of the period. It is intended that the 20 per cent allowance reflects an average for all the affected businesses over the relevant period.Ó

Now every trader in the High Street, West Street, Lower Street, Petworth Road, Shepherds Hill and College Hill will have a 20 per cent temporary reduction in their business rates. Also entitled to the reduction are banks, estate agents and restaurants.

The reduction will be back-dated from the start of the road works on August 20 and will continue until the expected date for the completion of the work to FosterÕs Bridge, November 9.

The claim was based on a fall of more than 20 per cent in profits for at least some part of the period of road works, with the allowance reflecting an average for all the affected businesses.

Anyone not happy with the reduction is able to appeal.

Melanie Odell, who helped to organise the rebate application, said she was Òabsolutely delighted by the sympathetic view taken by the valuation officerÓ.

She also thanked Kathleen Farrow from Second Thoughts for her efforts.