Shopkeepers are outraged at plans to almost double their rents.

Traders in Gales Drive parade in Three Bridges, Crawley, have been presented with the huge increases after a council review.

They also face the prospect of having to pay the increase for the past five years because they have been in dispute with the council since the reviews started in 2001 and 2003.

Milan Prucha who owns Milan's Carpets and Curtains has run his shop for nearly 20 years. Under the review his rent would rise from more than £9,000 to £17,000 a year.

Mr Prucha said: "It's extortion to suddenly have your rent practically doubled without warning. I still can't come to terms with it.

"It has to reflect market value but how can that be market value when it's a parade in the sticks?

"There is no passing trade. Anyone who looks at this shop would not pay that for it.

"Last time we had increases of 60 per cent and we thought that was unfair. I just can't see how anyone can survive."

Julie Chilvers, who runs Cake Craft, said: "We've been struggling this year because retail has been down generally. On the rent I'm paying now we're just breaking even."

She said the traders were considering taking the matter to independent arbitration. A spokeswoman for Crawley Borough Council said: "We do not expect payment of all the back rent in one go and are happy to agree a reasonable payment instalment plan."

She said that all the shops included a three-bedroom maisonette above each business which could either be lived in or sub-let by the tenant.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006