Sir – With respect to the article "Hardware Store to Close after 100 years" (RTT, September 26) and Mr Burke’s comments about "greedy landlords just sitting there and making money for nothing", what Mr Burke does not say is that the very elderly lady who owns A&E Robbins has been kind enough to let him pay rent at well below the market rate for many years.
Having had to move into a residential home, she now needs to charge a fair rent to pay for her full-time care.
Mr Burke has been given every consideration and a full and open opportunity to renew the lease at a fair market rate for the area, but has chosen freely to wind down his business at the end of his lease.
Plans are at an advanced stage for another local trader to take a new lease and to continue to serve the community.
GRAHAM COX
Attorney for the landlord
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here