Massive rent hike forces Inverness Model Shop to announce closure
A LONG-established business in Inverness’s Victorian Market will close its doors at the end of March, blaming the controversial hefty rent increases.
Craig McDonald, of the Inverness Model Shop, is facing a 22 per cent rent increase from the beginning of May.
"I just cannot afford it," said Mr McDonald, who took over the business two years ago after working for the previous owner for three years. "This will be the end of the business. Within Inverness, there is very little for small shops like mine to go into.
"Highland Council doesn’t really do anything to support us at all."
The 28-year-old from Cromarty claimed two other businesses in the Victorian Market were also thinking of shutting. It follows last month’s closure of the Body and Face Place, whose owner Julie Lister blamed a steep rent increase for deterring potential buyers.
Meanwhile, the future of the market’s newsagents, Hood News, lies in the balance. Owner Rob Hood plans to appeal against the 42 per cent increase he is facing. "I hope they will be sympathetic," he said.
David Haas, the council’s city centre manager, would not speak about individual circumstances. However, he stressed the local authority had invested heavily in the Victorian Market, including spending £1 million on a new roof, and said it had to make a return for the Inverness Common Good Fund.
"Highland Council recognises the importance of the market as the heartbeat of the city centre," he insisted. "Obviously, we want to see it thrive and are always concerned that tenants have the opportunity to make a success of their businesses."
He said between 90 and 95 per cent of the market’s units were let. "We are always very sad to see anyone leave the market. We feel there are a lot of thriving businesses in there and we want it to continue to develop."
Inverness city leader, Councillor Ian Brown, believed the rents remained fair despite the increases. "I don’t think the rents are outrageous," he said. "It is income for the Common Good Fund."
He hopes to set up a meeting between traders and council officials to discuss the issue.
