THREE pub landlords have hit out at the ‘excessive’ business rates they are paying, claiming they are unfair and punish success.

The Kendal licensees say the charges, which total more than £40,000 between the three pubs, are crippling on top of the fall-out from the smoking ban, rising alcohol taxes and changing drinking habits.

Helen Chorley, of The White Hart on Highgate, said: “The council’s rates are just extortionate and need to be looked at given the current conditions we have to trade in.

“Everything has gone through the roof making it nearly impossible to trade.

"In the next 12 months, there’s a good chance we’ll see a lot more pubs go.”

Paul and Linda Metcalfe, who run The Dun Horse, on Stramongate, said: “The more you make and the higher your turnover, the more your rates go up.

"We’ve tried to make this into a decent pub and we’ve become a victim of our own success.”

Leanne Alderson, landlady of The Fleece Inn, on Highgate said: “The rates are far too much for such a small town.

“The authorities need to look at what they charge but breweries need to look at their rents and be reasonable too.”

A South Lakeland District Council spokesperson said the Government set business rates.

Coun Graham Vincent, SLDC economic chief, said: “We collect the rates but we do not administer them.

"Commercial premises still think it’s our fault. The council seem to get the blame for everything.

"We don’t even value premises – we have no influence.”