Trader is being ‘forced out’ by council rent rise
ANTIQUES DEALER CALLS £3K INCREASE ‘UNJUSTIFIED’
A DERBYSHIRE businessman enduring an “ongoing nightmare” feels like the council is forcing him out of his industrial unit as he faces an “unjustified” rent rise.
William Bowles, 50, owner of Planet Antiques in Heanor, added that Derbyshire County Council has been “short-sighted” by asking him for extra money, damning its stance as “anti-business” and unresponsive.
A lifelong antiques dealer, he moved to Derbyshire ten years ago from Manchester and currently pays £9,500 a year for a lease on an industrial unit in Slack Lane, from which he runs his online business.
Now, Mr Bowles has been “slapped” with an extra £3,000 increase on his lease with a three-month notice, that could force him to move on.
His situation has been made worse, he says, because the insurance he pays for does not include the roof, which has started leaking and has had to be patched up.
Mr Bowles said: “I understand it’s market rates, but we weren’t told any of this. If we were, we wouldn’t have taken the unit on in the first place. It feels like we’re being forced out. The roof is also leaking like a sieve.”
He said he has had to spend his own money on building repairs.
“With my energy costs too, I feel like the council is taking an underhanded approach. They’re supposed to be helping businesses,” Mr Bowles added.
“I’ve tried to set up face-to-face meetings, but they won’t speak to me. I couldn’t believe it. I feel like they don’t exist, I only get email responses.
“The rent rise is totally unjustified. It means I can’t employ anyone. I was looking to expand and open a place in Heanor marketplace and Ilkeston.
“I’ll survive if I have to close this unit, we do things mainly online. But others won’t survive.
“The first rule of business is that people talk to each other. I’ve been dealing antiques all my life and I’ve built this business with my partner, now I feel like it’s being taken away.
“I want to open this up for the local community in a few months. I love it in Heanor, but things like this could shut mine and others’ businesses overnight potentially.”
He says the current lease began three years ago. “It was decided at £9,500 for the three years. We expected a rise, but not of mountainous proportions,” he added.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We work hard to support all Derbyshire businesses large and small, and gave particular support to businesses renting county councilrun premises during the pandemic, including allowing rent deferrals to help them through a very difficult time.
“With regards to this matter, we are currently in negotiations with Mr Bowles to ensure a suitable outcome for all in terms of both the lease renewal and outstanding repair issues at the unit.
“It is hoped that everything will be in place by October 2022.”
We expected a (rent) rise, but not of mountainous proportions Antiques dealer William Bowles