Posted online: Jun 22nd, 2009

By Teresa McGowan
Reporter

A RENT row between the landlords of Letterkenny Shopping Centre and traders has resulted in the eviction of staff from Greene’s shoe shop and more evictions are expected in the coming weeks.
Alfie Greene, who owns Greene’s Footwear, has been trading in the centre for over 20 years. He arrived to work on Wednesday to find that the locks were changed and he could not enter the store. He called the Gardai but efforts to enter the premises were fruitless.
Mr Greene is the first trader to be affected in the centre, but it is expected that locks on other premises could be changed also next week
The row developed between the traders and the centre’s owners, Dublin-based Harcourt Developments, which is owned by Buncrana man Pat ‘Big Hill’ Doherty, over a rent hike of 47 per cent with traders refusing to pay the extra charges.
They met on Thursday morning and are refusing to pay the increase and rent arrears, stating they simply can’t afford to pay anymore as sales have plummeted so much.
“Over the past 22 years I must have paid them €1.5 million in rent. I’ve tried to negotiate with them about rent and the rent review but with no success whatsoever,” blasted Mr Greene.
“This could lead to a significant loss of revenue for me and it could lead to a loss of jobs. I’ve tried to talk to them but have had no answers at all. We knew it was going to happen because we had received notification, but I was still a bit shocked,” he went on.
Harcourt Developments had not replied to the Post’s queries about the issue at the time of going to press.
Toni Forriester, the chief executive of Letterkenny Chamber, said traders are finding it very difficult at the moment and even paying bills is not easy.
“They are finding it hard to pay rent and bills and at this time they are looking for the best value money possible. We are hearing everyday that trading is not what it used to be and it is tough out there,” she said.