THE stranglehold of increased taxation has driven a well known Wye Valley business to the wall. From the end of the month Peter Naylor will close his Malthouse Pottery at Brockweir for good.
"There are just not enough visitors coming up the valley any more," said Mr Naylor, who took over the pottery from his father 26 years ago.
"VAT, business premises rates and now the increase in the cost of fuel. It's the last nail in the coffin," said Mr Naylor.
"We have survived two recessions, Mrs Thatcher and a 500 per cent increase in rates. But now there are no visitors. Fresh air is not enough and we have been left with no other alternative but to close," he said.
Mr Naylor has put up the 'Everything Must Go' signs in his pottery and hopes for a surge of Christmas shoppers.
"I intend to close on December 31. To avoid paying business rates the shop must be empty by the end of the month so hopefully we will sell the lot," he said.
"At the moment I have no idea what I am going to do," he added.
Mr Naylor said there had been a noticeable drop in traffic on the main Wye Valley road.
"There has been a drop in the number of people taking a ride out for pleasure. We're told the increase in taxation on fuel means an average £600 a year on motoring bills and people just do not have the cash to spare.
"Local pubs are also feeling the pinch – they can hardly spare the price of a pint. I'm afraid it is a sign of the times," he said.