Wallingford traders are demanding a cut in their business rates, claiming the town will look like a bombsite during the coming year.

They say they have lost money already because of the flats and shops development between St Mary's Street and St Martin's Street.

And they fear customers and business will drop once demolition starts in the town centre to make way for the new Waitrose superstore development.

And there is the prospect of another major building site, behind the Lamb Arcade close to the Waitrose site, as the former Lamb Garage area is developed, mainly for housing.

That will make the entrance to the town from Shillingford an eyesore, say businesses.

Wallingford Business Partnership chairman Pat Hayward said: "The prospects for trade in Wallingford during the next year or so are not good and this will affect everyone -- business people and the people who live in and visit the town.

"We all welcome the Waitrose development and want to see it open as soon as possible.

"But the work on it will take more than a year to complete. The town looks like a bombsite at the moment -- and things will get worse before they get better.

"Businesses in the town are suffering and are reporting at least 15 per cent reduction in takings."

She received support at the partnership's annual meeting for a proposal to campaign to get the business rate reduced for 2004-2005.

The partnership is arranging a meeting with South Oxfordshire District Council officials to put its case for a rebate.