Alarm at the high business rate in Tenby is to be voiced to a Welsh Assembly Member at a meeting in the resort tomorrow (Thursday).

The town does not qualify for Rural Rate Relief to keep business rate costs down, and with the recent huge increases across Wales, many traders and business owners have faced large bills.

"It's a hell of a worry," said County Councillor Michael Williams.

"Some of our traders just haven't got a chance with the way their rates have risen, yet with no relief in sight."

By contrast, Narberth - because of its lower population - qualifies for 100% Rural Rate Relief, half of which is mandatory and the other half at the discretion of Pembrokeshire County Council.

"It's a ludicrous anomaly, and one which AM Helen Mary Jones, Plaid Cymru member for mid and west Wales will be raising in the Assembly," he added. The Welsh business rate increases have been described as 'a side-door tax on success'.

The new rateable values take into account gross turnover, so the more successful operators are penalised.

Tenby hotelier and Pembrokeshire Tourism member Chris Osborne recently led a debate on Welsh business rate hikes at the Wales Tourism Alliance conference.

"The tourism trade in Wales is being clobbered left, right and centre and it is very anxious," he said at the time.

"England has transitional business rate relief year on year; the Scottish government has just committed £280million to reduce the rate in the pound, but in Wales, the Assembly has not budged an inch."

The meeting with Helen Mary Jones will be at the Fourcroft Hotel tomorrow (Thursday) at 2.15pm.

All traders and business people from the town are invited to attend to raise their concerns.