Published: 26 January 2012
by TOM FOOT

A FRUIT and veg trader has warned that a whopping rent rise would force him to shut his stall in Hampstead after 35 years.

Brian Lay-Jones, who runs Pure Fruit stall in Heath Street, told councillors on Monday he was “gone” if his rent leaps from £20,000 to £27,000 in a recession.

Councillors were told that many independent businesses were being unfairly threatened and that historic Hampstead village was fast becoming a sterile “clone town” of mobile phone shops and coffee chain outlets.

Mr Lay-Jones said: “I can’t wave a wand and put 80p on carrots.

I can’t do it. We have a ceiling on this fruit business, a complete ceiling.

We have only survived this long because my family work with me.

“I say to the council now: you must look around at these high streets.

It’s getting worse and worse. If my rent goes up I’m gone.

I think it’s very important if you want the high street to survive.”

Mr Lay-Jones was speaking after Hampstead resident Jessica Sokel, in a deputation to the council, warned that Heath Street and Hampstead High Street had been hit by “high-profile” closures of Hampstead Health Shop in December and Yoghurty café last week.

She said: “It makes sense to support a long-term trader.

This is about the survival of a community, not a clone town.

The individual character of Hampstead is its life-blood.

This is not about sustaining unsustainable businesses.”

She called for free parking and rent concessions to stop traders going bust.

Labour finance chief Councillor Theo Blackwell told traders the council was “subject to constraints under law”, adding: “We do not have full powers to act on your behalf.

We are in negotiation with Pure Fruit.

It is important to look at various pockets [of businesses in different areas] and how the council as a landlord can help businesses through the recession.”