Rent ‘killing us’

By Alison Noonan
HAMPTON Park traders say they are being forced out of business by skyrocketing shop rents.
They fear the financial pressure on business owners in the shopping precinct could drive them to more affordable suburbs in Casey and turn the area into a ghost town.
However, Hampton Park Shopping Square centre management Norwood Property Services says rate discounts have been offered to encourage traders to remain in the precinct.
Owner of Margueritte’s Mystical Enchantment, Margueritte Webster, said she had pleaded with centre management to drop the rent but was left with no choice but to close her beloved business.
“I’ve given up my heart and soul for this place. To lose it has broken my heart,” she said.
Ms Webster said she couldn’t understand the justification for the exorbitant rent in an area plagued by vandalism, drug dealing and graffiti.
“I have been forced out because of the high rent. It’s killing us all,” she said.
“But I don’t know why they won’t decrease the rent when it’s like the ghettos here.
“I could easily find a nicer shop in Berwick or Beaconsfield for a lower price.”
Ms Webster said she knew of other traders who were planning to move due to poor business in the precinct.
“I know of others who are relocating and I doubt they (centre management) will be able to fill our spots when we go,” she said.
“The 12 new shops that were built before Christmas are still vacant. Every one of the windows has been smashed and the walls are covered in graffiti.
“The whole centre is disgusting. I don’t blame people for not shopping here.
“I had a father come in recently with his son after the little boy slipped on diarrhoea all over the floor in the public toilets.
“I’ve had people screaming at me on the streets and there is a lot of drug dealing in the area.
“If I didn’t work here I wouldn’t come here either,” Ms Webster said.
A fellow trader, who did not want to be named, said her business was in negotiations with centre management over its lease and said she would have no problem moving if the rent was too high.
“The shops around here are pretty average,” she said.
“We don’t have any toilets or water where we are and suffer constant troubles with the power.
“The rent is definitely over-priced for the area. We could easily find somewhere cheaper.”
Norwood Property Services property manager Susan Scott said the shop rates had increased slightly, but said Ms Webster was offered a $2000 decrease when her lease expired at the end of the month.
“The landlord actually agreed not to put her rates up,” she said. “I am not aware of anyone else wanting to move.
“We are currently in negotiations with tenants to move into the 12 new shops.
“We have just been holding off while we finalise some bigger deals. These new shops will attract a lot more people to the area.”
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said he was unaware of issues with traders being forced out of business, and said the council was working with shop owners to attract people to the precinct.
“Council has been working with centre management and traders to look at improvements to the shopping precinct but it will take time and money,” he said.
“They are aware that you have to spend money to make money. However that is hard if you don’t have any.
“Council can only do as much as it can do to help them come up with ideas. If we could move in and do something we would but it comes down to the owners,” Cr Smith said.