SMALLER INDEPENDENT outlets in the Stephen’s Green Centre in Dublin have negotiated a two-year stay on a pending 10 per cent rent increase.
However, traders say they have not been able to negotiate a reduction in rent despite the fact that shops are going out of business.
There are 90 outlets in the retail centre but a number of them have closed over recent months and new tenants have not replaced them.
“We have 14 or 15 empty units and the landlord has not helped anyone out yet as far as I am aware,” one trader who did not wish to be named told The Irish Times yesterday.
“We had one outlet close last week, Beauty Natural, and Jupiter [a clothes shop] is now closing.”
Efforts to get the landlord, Irish Life Asset Managers, to reduce rents have to date failed. “We have gone to them and pleaded, in order to help preserve jobs, but it has fallen on deaf ears. Everyone along the supply chain has taken cuts, prices have been cut, but the landlord wants the same rent.”
Austin Douglas, manager of the Unique clothing outlet in the centre, says it has been looking for a rent reduction but has not been given one. “Shops are closing down but the landlords won’t talk to you. What do they want? Do they want to close the centre?”
Ciaran Muldowney’s Japanese goods shop Cactus has been in the centre for 20 years. “No one should go out of business because of rent during a period like this. My idea is you keep everyone in business up to Christmas at least.
“There has to be a pragmatic view taken. It depends on each individual to put the case in an honest and open forum.
“If everyone works together we can work our way through this. But if landlords are going to put people out of business during this 12-month period, they are being very short-sighted.”
Niall Hogan of Wrestling Mania, which has been in the centre for five years, said he is seeking a rent reduction.
“They haven’t said yes. They haven’t said no. We provided them with information to show that a sizeable downturn has happened. That’s what they’re looking for.”
A spokesman for Irish Life said it would discuss each tenant’s circumstances with the individual.
“We have come to arrangements where people need help to trade through difficult circumstances,” he said.
Increases have been moderated or suspended, but no rent has as yet been reduced, he said.
