The pretty UK town where loads of shops are completely empty after business rates 'double'

High Streets across the UK are failing, with a number of shops closing down, and the story is the same for Witham. The Essex town, which sits on the ancient road from Roman London to Colchester, has a great heritage. It was once the central hub of a wool trade before experiencing a time of prosperity as a spa town.

While today it is home to a vibrant community of close-knit residents, its high street, a vital part of the town, has declined in recent years. Newland Street, The Grove Shopping Centre, and Newland Shopping Centre make up Witham's shopping hub, but between the three hubs, 10 shopfronts lie empty.

Lisa-Jane Davis, a business owner, was left devastated when she had to close her store, The Tea Rooms, which had been part of the community for 16 years.

She told the Braintree and Witham times: "It's a common misconception that the council is to blame for rising rents when most shops are privately owned. Business rates have almost doubled this financial year, which is another setback."

The 57-year-old also addressed the impacts of the National Living Wage and National Insurance increase. She added that the closure of big businesses has an "obvious" impact on smaller ones.

In efforts to encourage people to shop locally and support businesses, the council runs a Gift Voucher scheme that can be purchased at the Town Hall and spent in participating businesses, reports Braintree and Witham Times.

The council also run a series of free events throughout the year, including the Street Entertainment Festival, the Christmas Fayre, and Teddy Bear's Picnic, to increase footfall into the town's businesses.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Witham Town Council recognises the concerns of residents about recent closures of businesses in the town centre, which is a challenge faced by many towns across the UK as retail patterns change.

"Taking into account the pressures, we remain committed to supporting local businesses. All these events bring residents and visitors to Witham together, fostering a strong sense of community spirit and shared enjoyment in the town."