HELL, I CAN’T PAY THAT

In response to your article “Hell on High Street” (Jan 13), a few years ago I wanted to open a shop in Birmingham. I applied for details of empty premises in the city centre and in more modest suburban shopping precincts. My ambitions didn’t last long.

One shop just off the main shopping street in the city centre was £250,000 a year in rent and rates. Small premises in very average suburban precincts were around £30,000 to £50,000 a year.

Remember, this is before electric, gas, water, stock, staff, shop fitting, so is it any wonder thousands of shops are standing empty? John Read, Birmingham