A shop landlord's decision to double the rent has been blamed – at least in part – for the closure of the much loved small business hub and café Holly & Co.

It was founded by small business champion, Holly Tucker MBE, who was co-founder of Richmond-based Notonthehighstreet, which supports independent traders.

The Holly & Co outlet in St Margarets has been a thriving hub for local entrepreneurs and workers, who used its facilities as a base.

Its loss has left a black hole in the shopping parade and reduced footfall, which is a blow to other stores.

A poster in the window under the headline Small Business Support, reads: "Help them to survive the greed of their landlords".

The loss of Holly & Co is indicative of a wider problem for small businesses across the borough and beyond, which are being squeezed by higher rents and business rates, plus increases in energy and other costs.

advertisement

Holly, who left Notonthehighstreet after it was sold to an American growth equity firm Great Hill Partners last year, explained the decision to close after six years in a message in the window.

In it, Holly, who is a UK Ambassador to Creative Small Businesses, said: "One of the greatest joys has been welcoming customers into out place, seeing the delight children as they leave a note for our resident fairy, and reimagining our café each month with creativity and colourful imagination, thanks our Artists in Residence.

"We are, however facing the combined factors of rising prices across the board, fewer of our local community visiting us and our landlord doubling our rent – all of which mean we're no longer able to keep our café working.

"It's not a decision I've taken lightly, we've explored so many avenues – and as a local resident myself, I know what a special place our space has in so many hearts."

The fact that even a small business expert such as Holly Tucker was unable to maintain a high street presence is evidence of a crisis for Britain's small businesses.

She was awarded an MBE for services to small businesses and enterprise as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2013. And she was invited to become a UK Ambassador to Creative Small Businesses in September 2015 by the then Prime Minister, David Cameron.

Holly is continuing to run Holly & Co as an online operation at www.holly.co and via Instagram on @HollyTucker. She continues to support small businesses across the UK through the website and podcasts offering information and advice, coupled with events.

advertisement

At the same time, she issued a plea to local residents to support small businesses, including cafes, in the borough.

She said: "I know each pound is so precious so please do consider where you spend them and vote with your money for the kind of world you want to live in, to prevent more businesses like this one having to close."