Small business owners at a shopping centre in Easterhouse have said they feel like they are being 'pushed out' by their landlord and fear the impact possible closures could have on the local community.
Traders in The Lochs shopping centre staged a protest on Wednesday over their treatment by City Property who they say are 'hassling them for vast sums of money' but failing to invest in the centre or fix outstanding issues including a broken heating system.
Businesses that have been part of the centre for nearly two decades are facing going out of business due to rent arrears accumulated during covid, rising operating costs and a decline in footfall.
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Shelley Quinn, who runs Wee Betty's cafe with her sister, said the shopping centre is more like a community centre for locals.
She told Glasgow Live: "We've been running Wee Betty's for four years. The cafe really is a lifeline for people around here, we've got people we see on a daily or weekly basis who come in and it's the only reason they have to leave their house.
"We run social nights for the community, we've got a Chatter & Natter table for anyone in need of company and we feed people in need over Christmas. It isn't just a business for us.
"If we close down or anything happens to the centre, it will have a big impact on people's mental health.
"The centre is just being run into the ground. The heating system stopped working and was condemned in February so we haven't got any heating. The place is freezing. The way we're being treated is a disgrace. There are businesses that have already been forced to close and there will be more if things don't change. We're all struggling.
"They've built houses all around but the shopping centre for all those people isn't been maintained, it's full of empty shops. The car park is an absolute mess, the church wasn't even allowed to use because it was deemed to be unsafe. It's not an attractive place to go anymore - it's as if they don't want people to come here.
"We're paying our rent and our service charges and for what? The landlords are sitting in a warm office and we're left here to freeze.
"My sisters and I are from Easterhouse, we grew up here so we have memories of the centre when it was busy and attractive. We also know how important it is for the community."
As with most businesses across the country, traders at The Lochs were forced to close during the pandemic. During the lockdowns, owners were given a deferment on rent payments by the landlord City Property.
Since reopening, outstanding bills for rent not paid during the enforced closure have been sent out of business with some expected to cough up £16,000 in a matter of months.
Some have received Notices of Irritancy which could mean being kicked out of the centre if they don't pay up.
One of those affected by a backlog of bills is Robert McGregor who owns B&G Hair and Beauty.
He told Glasgow Live: "Before covid we were running a successful business, we had no problem paying bills but being closed we obviously weren't making any money. We couldn't pay the rent.
"We're now being chased by City Property for the rent we missed due to lockdown. We're a small business, and I'm self-employed so to come up with that money is impossible.
"Myself and my business partner have approached the landlords with a proposal for paying the outstanding balance over three years but they won't let us and are demanding it's paid within months.
"We're in a sitting duck situation now because there's no way we can pay that amount of money. Our energy bill has doubled so we're paying more money out and there's less money coming in because not as many people are coming to the centre.
"We're paying service charges to the landlord for cleaning and maintenance but we have no heating. City Property hasn't made any effort to speak with us about the issues. We are actually avoided by those in charge of the units.
"It's frustrating because we're working non-stop to try and keep ourselves in business and to pay our bills but it seems like the odds are stacked against us and the centre."
A spokesperson for City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP said: "Whilst trading conditions since March 2020 have been challenging, we have continued to communicate regularly with our tenants including the offer of a Covid-19 Rent Support package which was offered to all tenants in 2020, with the application pack being available via our website for a period of two years.
"In line with City Property’s debt management strategy, we have agreed payment plans with many tenants and will continue to work on a case-by-case basis, offering support wherever feasible and with the aim of stabilising property vacancy rates and helping our tenants trade through these difficult times.”
“With regards the heating issues in the shopping centre, we continue to work to resolve this and hope to provide an update to all tenants of The Lochs within the week”
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