Vince Cable

Following a petition by Teddington shop owners against what they regard as exorbitant increases in commercial rents, Vincent Cable, MP, has raised in parliament this week, in Business Questions, the issue of 'upward only' rent reviews, which is driving small, local shops out of business.

The petition, which was started by Teddington shop Mum and Me (a second-hand children's clothes shop), has been strongly supported by local florists, book shops and other specialist, family shops which fear they will be driven out and be replaced by national chains and charity shops.

Vincent Cable said: "Teddington is one of our best local shopping centres with variety and character. But, as in Twickenham, Whitton, St Margaret's, Hampton and Hampton Wick the shop keepers are struggling with high business rates, parking restrictions and competition with the superstores and national chains. Big rent increases on top of that can be crippling. Business people understand that they have to deal with market forces including those in the property market, but there has to be a level playing field and some recourse against unreasonable demands from landlords".