Businesses in Ennis and Kilrush say the implementation of a 50 per cent rise in commercial rates will have a deastating effect on shops in both towns.
Clare County Council's Budget 2016, which was passed on Friday will see rates increase next year, to bring them in line with pther parts of the county.
Following the abolition of town councils last year, it was decided that the county's commercial rates would be harmonised over time.
This process will begin next year after the local authority's Budget 2016 was adopted at a meeting on Friday, despite intense criticism by local councillors in Ennis and Kilrush.
Commercial rates in both towns have been lower than anywhere else in the county and now that gap will be bridged, with businesses in Ennis seeing a rates increase of almost 6 per cent next year and in Kilrush, a rise of just under 9%.
Businesses there say the plan penalises those who have managed to stay open through difficult trading conditions.
Brian O'Neill from The Rowan Tree in Ennis, says harmonisation could have been achieved in a number of different ways.
Clare County Council says the increase can be offset through an incentive scheme that is also now in place.
But Jack Kelly of Kelly's Meat Store in Kilrush believes that will have little impact and he insists that jobs will be lost as result of the council's budget plan.
The CEO of Clare County Council has been defending the budget, saying it provides an opportunity to give back to smaller businesses.
Tom Coughlan hopes the plan will generate activity rather than lead to jobs losses.
