Traders are being offered cash sweeteners of up to £5,000 to leave Southend's Victoria Plaza shopping centre to make way for an Asda store, it was claimed today.
Lorraine Cone, 22, who runs the Penny Lanes retro boutique, believes she has no choice but to shut down her store and fears more businesses will follow.
Traders - Sarah Punt, left, and Lorraine Cone, right, say faceless capitalism is forcing them out of Southend's Victoria Plaza Picture: DAVE HENDERSON
Bosses at Victoria Plaza admit they are "exploring opportunities" to extend its potential.
Lorraine said: "I have a five-year contract with four years left on it. I was offered £800 to leave my shop by a company acting on behalf of Victoria Plaza.
"I turned it down but was then offered £5,000. I have given up and accepted."
A shopping centre spokesman said: "The owners of Victoria Plaza are exploring opportunities in which to significantly improve and broaden the retail offer and environment for the residents of Southend and the outlying areas.
"There are ongoing discussions with each of the tenants affected by the proposals."
Published Thursday January 8, 2004
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