Difficult trading conditions combined with an unwillingness by Wokingham Borough Council to negotiate were cited by the owner of a town centre shop to close its business last Friday.
Rob Brown, together with his wife Sally, opened Blueberry Toys in Denmark Street in November 2020.
The business filled what they had identified as a gap in the market having not been able to buy toys in the town for their own children.
Commenting on the closure of his business, Brown said: “At the end, we simply suffered from a lack of sales at a time of increasing costs.
“We tried not to pass on these costs to our customers.”
Mr Brown added that his landlords, Wokingham Borough Council, were approached with a view to negotiating his rent, but he says they were unwilling to reduce his £17,000 a year bill.
He said: “There is no recognition of the risk for independent retail businesses in Wokingham.”
“We have significant risks for limited reward.”
He also cited an increase in shoplifting and attempts to use fake currency as reasons why he would be unlikely return to the retail sector anytime soon.
Cllr Clive Jones, executive member for business and economic development, expressed his sympathies with the owners.
He said: “Although we can’t comment on individual circumstances and/or discussions, as a matter of good practice we will always endeavour to work proactively with tenants when issues arise.
“It is always disappointing when someone’s dream of creating a new business doesn’t quite work out for whatever reason.
“The retail environment is particularly challenging at the moment, and increases in mortgage rates means that many local people have less disposable income to spend in our shops.
“Units in Wokingham town centre are not all owned by Wokingham Borough Council. Our target occupancy level for the regeneration portfolio, which is in our ownership, is 90%, and for the last two years we have been above this target.
“And for the first quarter of 2023-2024 the occupancy level is 96.1%. This, of course, is far better than many town centres across the country – including some near to Wokingham.
He concluded: “We always strive to achieve the highest occupancy levels, and have had a number of new openings in the town centre this year with further lettings under negotiation.”
Mr Brown added his thanks customers of Blueberry Toys for their support of his business.
