A Lancashire pet retailer has appealed against a decision to charge his independent store twice as much as other businesses on the same street in Darwen.

Simon Street, who owns Pets Pit Stop in Market Street, currently pays £745 per month in business rates, but argues that a nearby business is paying half as much, despite having larger premises and a higher profit turnover.

Mr Street, 32, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “We are even getting business rate relief because we are a small business but the rates are so high that it just seems unsustainable. I don’t know how anyone could keep an independent business alive here.

“I’m really worried that it will put me out of business and it’s frustrating because it seems so unfair.”

Mr Street sent his appeal to the Valuation Office Agency last month but a decision has yet to be made.

He said: “I contacted them and they tried to put me off appealing. They said other people that have had a business on this row had appealed and failed, so there was no point.

“I told them I wanted to do it anyway and I was told someone would come and see me, but it wouldn’t be for three or four weeks. It feels like they’re fobbing me off.”

A Valuation Office Agency spokeswoman said: “The VOA is currently discussing Mr Street's appeal with him but we cannot comment on individual cases.

“If the matter cannot be resolved in discussion then we will support the early hearing of the appeal by the independent Valuation Tribunal."

Pictured: Simon Street in the Pets Pit Stop, Darwen. (Picture: Lancashire Telegraph)