Mr Hewison said he could not afford to run his business anymore and it will close
Shop owners in a County Durham village said they could be put out of business after the council put up their rents by more than 40%.
Rent prices at the Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, which includes a tea room and tourist information office, have been frozen for 10 years.
But after a review, Durham County Council said it had to put them up to the current market value, to ensure value for the taxpayer.
According to shop owners eight businesses have already closed or moved out of the centre to cheaper premises.
Frank Hewison, who has run Truffles chocolate shop for five years, said the price hike was forcing him out of business.
He said: "I just can't absorb a 40% increase so I've put in my notice and am closing the business. I'm gutted. I've invested a lot with good quality furnishings and chocolate.
"It doesn't make sense - if the rent was lower and the units were full the council would be getting more money than empty units. I think I'm business number nine to close."
Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, the council's development firm, said: "We're committed to encouraging businesses in the county to prosper. However, we have a duty to ensure value for money for council tax payers which is why rents are now regularly reviewed at all of our properties countywide."
- Published23 May 2013
