Hillingdon shop owners protest rent hikes, walk out of council meeting

Dozens of Hillingdon shop owners protested outside the Civic Centre on Thursday evening against rent increases of more than 100% imposed by Hillingdon Council. The shop owners fear the significant rent hikes could lead to business closures.

The proposed increases had been backdated several years due to council delays in implementing rent reviews. However, at a council meeting on Thursday, the council announced a change in its stance regarding the backdating of these rent increases.

Protest and Disappointment

Protestors gathered outside the council offices before attending the meeting. Following discussions within the chamber, many shop owners walked out, shouting "shame on you" at councillors. Louise McGinty, who runs the cafe Nessie and Normans, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that attendees wanted their voices heard and stressed the importance of local shops.

Lou Griffin, a former Labour councillor for Heathrow Villages, highlighted the importance of these local shops for elderly residents and those with disabilities who rely on them for essential items like medication. He told the LDRS that if these shops close due to unaffordable rent increases, residents would face travelling several miles for basic necessities.

Diane Faichney, a local resident, stated that the anger was not about rents increasing, but the scale of the increase and the initial proposal for backdating. She described the large, single increase as "really unfair and it's unjust."

Council's Policy Shift

Cllr Nick Denys, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Property, announced a revised approach to backdating rent increases. He stated that the council would consider agreeing to start new market rents from a reasonable date, rather than automatically insisting on backdating to the contract's earliest possible point. Officers would also consider arranging stepped increases, allowing shop owners to gradually adjust to new rental costs over the initial years of a contract.

This revised approach is conditional on shop owners agreeing to pay the new market rate. Cllr Denys added that if a shop owner does not agree to the new rent, they will be required to vacate the premises. Disgruntled shop owners left the meeting immediately after this statement.

Hillingdon Council maintains its responsibility to manage commercial properties for the best value for Hillingdon taxpayers. A council spokesperson previously told the LDRS that rents had been below market value for several years and were being reassessed against market evidence and lease agreements.