SIR – The front page story (Worcester News, September 23) highlights the desperate plight of city centre shopkeepers.

The facts you outline are indisputable.

Established shops are leaving the city centre. Many shops are empty. Everything does seem to be against them.

One very significant factor which former shopkeepers have spoken to me about are what they consider to be the unreasonably high rates and rent.

Mr [Richard] Carter, featured on page two in your story, said: “Worcester City Council and BID need to support traders.”

Surely the biggest support they can give is compassionate but realistic rates/rent.

I have a suggestion because “we are all in this together,” are we not?

Why cannot the whole structure of rent and rates be based on the turnover of the shop in question.

Bill all city centre shops a fixed percentage of the shop’s turnover.

This would apply to all shops and the figure, which could be adjusted annually, can be planned by the city chiefs to bring in the money they need.

If a shop goes through a bad spell then the blow from rent/rates is softened. Shops which are having a bonanza would pay more and there would then be a real incentive for the council to attract shoppers into the city by whatever means they feel is fit because their own income would be affected.

If the council fails, as it seems to be doing at present, then it will be hit in the pocket, not just the shopkeeper.

After all, “we are all in this together,” are we not?

NEIL HUMPHRIES

Worcester