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I think that may well be the case - sadly.
I appreciate that rent and rates are unnecessarily high with very few landlords caring whether their premises are used or not so long as their property port-folio valuation stays high.
Rateable value of commercial premises, by the valuation office (our's is in Folkestone), is also too high - too high for the amount of trade they do and as there is no reduction for bad trading periods, or some similar calculation that would help in these austere times, the cost of running a restaurant far outweighs the pleasure of being able to offer customers, the benefits of your quality fayre.
There should be strong lobbying on the Government to allow local valuation offices to reduce rates during hard times.
The government would lose more money by businesses closing and paying out benefits to those new unemployed people who aren't paying any tax either.
If restauarants could afford to offer incentives (2-4-1 as per the Dover Marina Hotel) to diners, that may help bring in people, but they still have to have the ability to pay for the advertising to let people know.
The Kittiwake and Marine Court offer 2 meals for £10 and a starter or dessert for just £2.00.
Can the small independant restaurants - Blakes, Jack's Grill Bar, the Allotment, La Scala etc. afford NOT to offer incentives ?
It must be hard making a living nowadays running your own business - whatever sort of business it is - and that's why Dover and the businesses here, need help.
Roger