SHOPKEEPERS who have been in Worcester for up to 20 years could be driven out by this year's huge rent increases.

Some of the traders in the Hopmarket shopping centre were stunned to discover they had been hit by rises of more than 80 per cent.

They said Worcester City Council had given them no warning of the increase, and feared they could go out of business.

Dean Awford, of the Great Lengths @ Express Cuts hair salon, is faced with an 80 per cent rent increase, taking the monthly rent from £265 to £385.

"We'll just have to look for other property," he said.

"A lot of people here will go out of business.

Explanation

"We've had to stop a £20,000 refurbishment because of this."

Carole Lock, of Kraft Korner, has been hit by a 69 per cent rise in rent.

She will have to pay £485, an increase of £133 a month.

"We've had no explanation for this," she said. "I don't know how they expect us to pay such a huge amount.

"We don't get enough people coming in. It's not like the High Street. We're going to be fighting for survival."

Mrs Lock, who has been in the Hopmarket for almost 20 years, said her new level of rent would be higher than her previous rent and business rate combined.

Another trader, Natural Break coffee shop owner Nigel Wolfenden, will now have to find £730 rent a month - an increase of 80 per cent.

He said the council could not justify the rise because it did little to promote the Hopmarket to shoppers.

"It's very difficult to get people down here," said Mr Wolfenden, who has worked in the Hopmarket for 20 years. "This rent increase really clobbers us.

"I hope they will promote the Hopmarket in a proper way.

"The entrance to the yard isn't attractive enough to make people come in."

Andrew Harding, Worcester City Council's principal property officer, said he could not discuss the details of the rent in the Hopmarket.

"All the leases of the shops are up for renewal," he said.

"We are negotiating revised rents with the tenants.

"Some of the tenants have agreed settlements - others we have yet to agree settlements with."