'Lack of support' forces business out of city

[dutchman]

After 20 years in Coventry, Malti Parekh has decided it is time to shut up shop blaming a lack of support for her decision to quit the city.



The owner of the Coventry Computer Centre claims high business rates and rent bills have left her struggling to survive during the downturn.

But she claims when she contacted the council in July to ask for help, she was denied any reduction in her bills and is even being told to remove improvements she made to the shop before she leaves.

"Not only has the council never invested a penny or helped me financially when I needed it, now they want me to remove all the improvements I have made over the years, which will cost me even more money," said Mrs Parekh.

"I am just so upset that they did nothing to help me. I have been in Coventry for 20 years and there has been no support."

The Coventry Computer Centre moved to the City Arcade 12 years ago, after a rent rise forced the business out of its previous unit in the Lower Precinct.

Since moving, Mrs Parekh has spent thousands of pounds on the shop, including fitting a new window display and new doors. But it will close on December 3, and move to a new base at the Abbey End Post Office in Kenilworth.

She said: "The council has done nothing to improve the City Arcade.

"We have been asking for them to make it more inviting to shoppers, but they haven't'"