Local Shops under Pressure from 'Absentee Landlord'

2.13.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

The popular Twickenham shops under pressure to leave their King Street premises - Cousins, the greengrocer, and Wishbone butchers - have been told to quit 'within days'.

Vincent Cable MP has written to their landlords, European Premier Properties (which operates through a subsidiary in an offshore tax haven), appealing to them to reconsider and to offer at least a grace period to allow for orderly relocation nearby.

He said: "This is a hard-hearted decision by absentee landlords who, apparently, are never seen at their property and are not based locally. The shops have a seven day termination clause in their lease, which means that they can legally be thrown out at very short notice. But they have been an important part of the local shopping centre for decades and a socially responsible landlord would help the shops to make an adjustment. I have written to the company asking them to meet me and the Town Centre Manager and to offer the shops at least a stay of execution."