Hillingdon Council reconsiders rent hikes after shop owner protest

Hillingdon Council is to reconsider plans to increase shop rents by more than 100 percent after dozens of local business owners protested and walked out of a council meeting. The proposed rent hikes, first reported in August by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), had led some shop owners to fear their businesses would be forced to close.

The protest took place outside the council's Civic Centre on Thursday night before attendees entered the meeting. Following a response from the council, disgruntled shop owners left the chamber shouting “shame on you” at councillors.

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Rent Backdating and Stepped Increases

A significant concern for shop owners was the council's initial intention to backdate rent increases to the end of their previous contracts. This meant rents would be assessed at the new, higher market rate for several years due to council delays in conducting rent reviews.

However, Councillor Nick Denys, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Property, announced a change in the council's position. He stated that the council would consider agreeing to start new market rents from a reasonable date, meaning there would not be an automatic insistence on backdating. Officers will also consider arranging stepped increases, allowing rents to rise incrementally over the initial years of a contract.

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Councillor Denys added that this concession was predicated on shop owners agreeing to pay the new market rate. If a shop owner declined to pay the new rent, they would be required to vacate the premises.

The council's position is that it has a responsibility to Hillingdon taxpayers to manage its commercial properties effectively and achieve best value. A council spokesperson previously told the LDRS that rents had been below market value for several years, and assessments were being made against market evidence and lease agreements.

Louise McGinty, who runs Nessie and Normans cafe, one of the businesses threatened with closure, told the LDRS that attendees wanted their voices heard. She said, “We want them to listen to us, we’ve come out tonight, the shops are important and they need to be saved - Hillingdon Council listen, please.”

Former Labour councillor Lou Griffin, who lives near Mulberry Parade, highlighted the importance of these local shops, particularly for elderly residents and those with disabilities who rely on them for essential services like medication. Diane Faichney, a local resident, stated that while rent increases are expected, the scale of the proposed rise and the initial backdating were considered unfair and unjust.