CARDIGAN Traders chairman Keith Davies is travelling to Cardiff on Tuesday to hear the group's petition to save High Street shops being discussed at the Assembly.

The petition calls on the Welsh government to provide support for independent traders by extending the small Business Relief Scheme to a greater number of businesses.

"We would like to see a scheme that is similar to the one operating in Scotland where commercial properties with a rateable value of up to £18k get relief of between 25% and 100% on a sliding scale," said Mr Davies.

Traders are angry that the Welsh government's decision to postpone the revaluation of business rates from 2015 to 2017 will not reflect the effect of the economic downturn in the High Street. Business minister Edwina Hart has stated that the potential for some form of assistance to businesses affected by the delay in revaluation is still under consideration.

Traders are also sceptical of Mrs Hart's plans to launch two business rate relief schemes which will encourage occupation of empty premises in town centres by giving 50% rate relief and providing 100% rate relief to new premises that are not immediately occupied.

"The government would be better off looking after the shops that are already there - not waiting until they are empty," said Mr Davies.