Independent shops in Chiswick could be forced to shut after a hike in business rates of up to 12 per cent.

Shop owners in Devonshire Road fear the huge increase could spell the end for small businesses struggling to cope in the recession.

Mike Moran, owner of Top Hat Dry Cleaners, said: “This increase could be the one that takes small businesses over the edge. I run the family business that my parents started in 1967 and work long hours to provide a level of service to keep my customers happy.

“Small businesses don’t have huge support staffs, private secretaries or under-secretaries; we don’t have the luxury of guaranteed pensions and honours on retirement, nor the likelihood of a well-paid future job with one of the corporations we’ve aided while in Government. All we have is the blood, sweat and tears of honest toil to break even.”

Business rates for all shops in the road will jump by 5 per cent from April 1.

However Mr Moran, and a number of other shops, have been hit by a 12 per cent increase because their small business rate relief, which allows them a reduction of up to 50 per cent, runs out at the end of the month.

Owner of the Classic Image Cafe, Kyra von Schottenstein, said she was shocked by the news and branded it the “last straw” at a time when small shops are closing by the day.

Even those businesses left contending with the 5 per cent increase fear it could be a make or break situation.

Bharat Parmar, owner of Genco Male Grooming, in Devonshire Road, said: “For those just trying to stay afloat it’s the worst thing that could happen.”

A meeting was held on Wednesday by shop owners in the street, who have drafted a letter expressing their upset.

The letter will be sent to Hounslow Council and to the Government.

New president of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, Gurpreet Singh, said: “The chamber advises that businesses which are struggling to pay their rates should contact the rates’ department at the council offices and it will do all it can to help.”

A spokesman for Business Link, a Government body which offers advice to businesses, said: “People who are worried about meeting the payments should speak to their local authority and talk to us. There are options – it is not the end."