TRADERS say their businesses are hampered because a premises which has been empty for nearly four years is deterring shoppers.

Retailers and property owners in King Street, Richmond, met council officials yesterday to discuss why it is taking so long to find new tenants for the former Wine Cellar shop.

Shopkeepers say visitors in particular do not venture down the street from the Market Place because they reach the corner and see only the deserted premises, empty since September 2003.

Colin Grant, Richmond town centre manager, said there had been little interest in the shop because of the £20,000 annual rent.

"The high street in market towns is quite a tough place to trade and, in a place like Richmond, this rent is a bit high for the location," he said.

Bookmakers William Hill failed to win planning permission to move into the premises from its smaller property two doors down the street.

Richmondshire District Council, which rejected the application, said the unit should remain as retail space.

The company has appealed and a decision by the Secretary of State is due later this year.

Hardev Bhangu, who owns the vacant premises, says the council is damaging trade in King Street by its stance.

Mr Bhangu, who lives in London, said the property was on the books of two letting agents.

He was unable to attend the meeting but his business partner, Manjinder Jagpal, was there.

"We are not much further forward after the meeting," said Mr Jagpal. "We hope to arrange another meeting."

After the meeting, Peter Featherstone, a senior planner with the district council, said: "We have a better understanding of the owner's position in terms of their commercial interest and it was an opportunity for the council to explain its planning policy and for the traders to put forward their views."

Mr Grant said he and Mr Bhangu had discussed the maintenance of the empty property.