South Longford business group wade in on rates fallout, saying 5% hike could be "final straw" for many struggling firms

In an open letter sent to this newspaper this afternoon, Ballymahon Traders Association launched a blistering attack on last week's announcement and questioned the veracity behind the move .

The group said many of its members had been forced to reassess its own increased overheads in the face of an unprecedented cost of living and energy crisis, measures it questioned whether the council had also considered before passing on the increase.

"The balance of income and outgoings is becoming ever difficult to achieve for many businesses and may ultimately result in closure of established businesses and loss of employment," read the letter.

"We have been forced to scrutinise our own business budgets and impose stringent expenditure cuts in order to meet our burgeoning outgoings.

"Has Longford County Council carried out a similar exercise with regards to its own budget or has it simply gone for the easy, but shortsighted, option of increasing rates to increase their income.

"This move could well be the final straw for businesses already hovering on the brink of closure."

The views expressed by the south Longford town's business representative group is just the latest in a recent flood of stinging attacks from local ratepayers who have been left incensed at the decision.

Local service station owner Paddy Hanlon and publican Andy Byrne accused the council of being 'out of kilter" when it came to appreciating the ever growing demands facing hard pressed businesses.

ALSO READ: 'Out of kilter' and 'ridiculous': Longford business owners slam council over rates hike