A second Devizes shop has closed its doors in the space of a few weeks amid fears high business rates are driving independent retailers out.

Cielo Blu in the Market Place is the latest business to close – little more than a month after the Pottery Painting Company shut.

Helen Morse, who has run the boutique for six years, said: “This is due to the unsustainable costs in operating from these premises and the fact that the rateable value of the property meant that I only received a very small amount of business relief on the business rates.

“It’s such a shame that we’ve lost so many lovely independent businesses in the town due to unrealistic running costs.”

She said she had been struggling for the past year to keep her head above water and said that in addition to the high business rates the half hour parking restriction in the Market Place had affected trade.

She said: “I was getting to a point where I knew I couldn’t go on and I know a number of other independent shops are in the same position.”

She consulted Devizes MP Claire Perry over the business rates as it was a Government levy and said she received a sympathetic hearing.

Devizes Chamber of Commerce committee member Richard Jaggs said: “The chamber is concerned about this. It is important for the town centre to have a mix of independent and chain stores if it is to be vibrant and the Government needs to show more support to smaller shops if they are not to be driven to the margins of the town.”

Leanne Murphy, who closed her pottery craft business on the corner of Maryport Street and Monday Market Street at the beginning of September, also blamed high commercial rates.

Closed signs have also gone up on the gift shop Tila in the Brittox this week. A notice in the window says the owners are looking for different premises but there is no reason for the closure.

There has been a mixed reception to news that national chain Card Factory is to open in the old Clarks shop in The Brittox. This week new signs went up outside the shop and fitters were busy transforming the space.

A number of people took to social media to complain about another card store opening in The Brittox which already has a Clintons and a Thorntons. But Mr Jaggs said: “Empty shops give a bad impression of the town.”

Devizes MP Claire Perry said: “I think it is always a pity when local shops and businesses close and am always keen to do more to support our high streets.”

She said the Government has introduced a discount of £1,000 a year on business rates for all retail premises with a rateable value of up to £50,000. Those with bills lower than £1,000 will pay no rates at all. It began in April for two years.