More shop closures Imminent
A large group of disgruntled town centre shopkeepers met this week to discuss the difficulties they are facing with increased service charges – nearly twice the amount they are paying at the moment.
It was agreed the new charges are unreasonable, unjustifiable and unfair at a time when Aycliffe shopkeepers have suffered their biggest downturn in business due to the current refurbishments and the general recession. One shopkeeper reported a loss of £100,000 in turnover since the redevelopment began.
Three shops have closed already and it is feared more will follow unless the Landlords realise the seriousness of the problem and hold service charge increases until they can be afforded.
Jim Parkin from Homeplan is heading the campaign for a review of the service charges as they appear to be different for each leaseholder. One shopkeeper admitted to paying no service charge while next door is expected to pay an 85% increase.
Dr. Parkin himself has just been told he should pay no service charge as his premises are not in the town centre. Presumably this now applies to all businesses operating in Greenwell Road? Jim is obviously happy with his result, but still believes his town centre colleagues are getting a raw deal and will help them fight the increase.
The shopkeepers complained the new charges were announced without any justification and there was a distinct lack of communication from the Landlords.
Service charges should be based on the size of each shop. Detailed information on these charges, and what each shop is paying, would be a useful starting point so that all lease deals were open and transparent.
Further meetings will be held and it was agreed to send the minutes of the meeting to the Head Office of all the large national stores who have premises in Newton Aycliffe calling for their support.
