Shopkeeper criticises lack of help for small businesses
A shopkeeper has criticised the lack of help available for struggling local businesses as she prepares to close her shop for the last time.
Anne Everton, 48, took over Marley General Stores in Coronation Gardens, Battle, in 2005, but has been forced to shut up shop after takings plummeted.
Anne, who runs the store by herself, said: "It went downhill in October and after Christmas is plateaued - it can't go on.
"Takings have gone down from 400 to 100 a day.
"I sit here twiddling my thumbs."
Anne says she has not only faced a lack of support from townsfolk, but claims outside agencies, such as Hastings Link and Rother District Council could not offer the help she needed.
Anne said: "They just tell you to take another mortgage out to pay for it.
"There is no help out there for local businesses.
"They say there is, but there is not. I have tried."
The store, which sells items including stationery, groceries and alcohol, will close it's doors for the final time tomorrow (Saturday).
Anne said: "I feel very sad, but relieved.
"I can go out and get a job now and earn some money.
"People think you are rich when you have got something like this."
She added: "It was not a decision taken lightly.
"We wanted to keep it running, but there is no financial way we can.
"We have still got all our bills to pay and with no money coming in, it's hard."
Battle has been hit by a spate of shop closures brought on by the current economic climate and Anne thinks more will follow.
She said: "These little independent shops are really going to struggle.
"It's going to get really worse before it gets better."
Customer Karen Ellis said: "Anne's worked extremely hard, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep that shop open.
"She's not been supported by locals and I think it's a great shame.
"She's had the regulars, but I do not think she has had as much support as she deserves"
The freeholder of Marley General Stores is Rother Homes, part of AmicusHorizon.
Jane Porter, regional director, said: "Mr and Mrs Everton took over the lease on the property on February 7 2005.
"The lease was due to expire on July 16 2024.
"After rent reviews in 2006 and 2009 Rother Homes decided against a rent increase, effectively freezing the amount of rent that Mr and Mrs Everton had to pay.
"In January 2009, Rother Homes were advised by Mr and Mrs Everton that they were experiencing difficulties paying their rent.
"This was due to changes in the trading environment that had been affecting all businesses.
"By April 22 2009, Rother Homes reached an agreement with Mr and Mrs Everton that would help manage the situation with their rent and clear the arrears on their account.
"Unfortunately, on June 10 2009, Mr and Mrs Everton asked Rother Homes if they could end the lease on 18 Coronation Gardens at the end of June 2009.
"Rother Homes agreed to end the lease despite arrears on the account Rother Homes believes that it did all it could to help Mr and Mrs Everton and is committed to helping its tenants, both residential and commercial, who are having difficulties paying their rent.
"We urge anyone who may be experiencing difficulties to contact us as soon as possible."
Cllr Tony Ganly, Rother District Council's appointed champion for village shops, said: "The council is mindful of the impact the recession is having on our independent traders and recognises the importance of small shops to village and town life.
"Given the importance we attach to our local traders, we set up the Village Shops and Post Offices Working Group to examine what assistance the council could provide.
"From this we created the Village Shops Forum – a group which allows community shops and post offices to network and access help and advice.
A meeting in Battle allowed them to share ideas and listen to expert speakers.
"The council has also provided 3,500 to fund a mentoring scheme run by Ten Sixty Six Enterprise which will provide guidance on starting, improving and developing businesses.
"We have also committed millions to major regeneration projects within the district in order to attract visitors and industry to the area, with the intention of providing a positive knock-on effect for business owners within Rother.
"Small traders form part of the fabric of the Rother community and the council is committed to helping them as far as practically possible, especially during this difficult time."
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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