FURIOUS shopkeepers faced with a massive increase in business rates have said legal action could be the only way forward after an unproductive meeting with their valuation officer.

Traders in Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, have seen their business rates double or even treble overnight, with the Valuation Office insisting they have been undervalued for years.

At a heated meeting, traders were given the chance to question the man who had come up with the figures, valuation officer David Jackson, but seemed unimpressed with his answers.

Christine Hunt of Sheesh restaurant said: “Almost every shop in Queen's Road was there. There was such a big hoo hah. The guy made so many mistakes. He said the rates were linked to rent, but a number of people said he'd got their rent wrong.

“It's disgusting. He said they made a mistake in 2005. Why should we all suffer for it? We took over the restaurant two years ago, now our rates have doubled. I said to him: 'We probably wouldn't have taken it over if I'd known about this. Do you want us all to lose our businesses?'

“Everyone was furious. They're ruining us. There will be so many businesses closing. The guy just didn't care. Everyone came out and said it was a complete waste of time. It's really sad for Buckhurst Hill.”

Owner of Arabesque Barry Hurst said he would continue to challenge the rate increases and would be seeking legal advice.

He said: “A lot of points were made and no-one was very happy with the outcome. He gave us an explanation of how the system works. He said it was based on rent but people were standing up saying 'That's not my rent'. There were a lot of mistakes. He said the rate hadn't gone up since 2005, but it's gone up every year.

“It's not over yet by a long way. He's agreed to come to another meeting and we'll get legal assistance, and all our facts straight. It's clearly not right and he's aware of that.”

A spokeswoman for the Valuation Office said: “The VOA is obliged to maintain an accurate list of rateable values, which are based on rental values.

“New evidence came to light that meant we were duty bound to review rateable values in the area and update some of them.

“We realise this may not be welcomed by the businesses affected but we have to work in a consistent way for the sake of fairness and we are trying to ensure that these changes are understood.”

Peter Angel, of Peter Angel & Co Chartered Accountants, who chaired the meetings said: “I've been here 20 years and I've never seen such a high turnout. A lot of traders feel this tax could be the tipping point.”