A SHOPPING centre should not have opened so one food shop could trade during the coronavirus pandemic, say property managers.

Neighbourhood, a deli in Reindeer Court in Worcester, was forced to close on March 23 on Government advice.

However, owners say the business provides an essential service and that they were locked out of their own shop by the landlord, only able to collect urgent mail once a week.

A spokesperson for Fisher German, which manages the shopping centre on behalf of the landlord, said yesterday: “The tenant owed sixth months’ rent and service charge stretching back into 2019, and we were instructed by the landlord to appoint a debt collection agency.

“It was only after the debt collection agency was instructed that the December quarter was paid. Discussions are in hand over the March quarter charges. As Reindeer Court is a closed centre, opening the site for one business could have implications on the insurance or would result in additional costs to all tenants.

“Access has been available through the service area and we will work with the tenant to see if further temporary access arrangements can be agreed in advance of the centre re-opening on June 15. Any underspend on service charges during this period will be credited back to businesses after the service charge year end in June.We appreciate that this is a difficult time and are in contact with the tenant to come to an agreement over the late payment charges.”

Mr Haley said there had been a two week delay in the payment of a council grant to help the business. He disputed any suggestion the business was able to open. They have been able to run a weekly food delivery service. Mr Haley said they have paid rent up to March 25 but wish to dispute paying full rent for the period after this.

They have already paid £500 to the debt management company but are disputing the full outstanding £2,000 rent, service charges and fees. Matt Haley, one of Neighbourhood’s owners, said they would not pay £500 ‘late fees’ to a debt collection agency incurred because of Fisher German’s ‘poor communication’. He says they should have communicated via email or telephone rather than post, which he described as ‘silly’ especially at a time when the gates of the shopping centre were shut and they only had access to post once a week.