People affected by Luton Borough Council’s new rent review policy got together on Monday night to send the authority a clear message: Don’t price us out!
Our campaign of the same name has been gathering pace since its launch last week, with many people signing our petition calling for a re-think the policy.
Worst hit by the rises are scout groups St Augustine’s and Sells Seventh, who rent land from the council for the scout huts they own.
The groups, who have 150 members between them, have been told that the new rates are non-negotiable but that they can apply for help from a hardship fund.
St Augustine’s is being told it must pay £8,000 a year in rent, while Sells Seventh must pay £4,500.
“We are being asked to agree to these rates when we have no idea what kind of help will be available from the hardship fund,” said Icknield district commissioner Martin Wesley.
“It could be just a token £100.
“It’s way beyond our abilities to raise £8,000 - we are all volunteers doing this in our own time.
We’re not saying we don’t want to pay anything but it must be fair and affordable.
“I get the impression they’re going after the small people to see if they can make us roll over and pay the money.
“But we are not an easy option and we will fight our ground.” Also affected are Age Concern shops, with the Farley Hill charity store told its rent may double.
Shop manager Gary Burt said his customers had been queueing up to sign the petition.
“There’s a lot of anger up here, people are really worried they could lose the shop,” he said.
And members of the Luton and Dunstable Cycle Forum have been rallying round to support Dave Barford, whose business My Bike Shop could be forced to move from its Birdsfoot Lane location to make way for a betting shop.
Forum chair Robin Cowan said: “Dave is very important to the cycling community.
“We’ve only got four cycle shops in Luton but there are 25 bookies in the town, including one already in Birdsfoot Lane.”
Luton Borough Council says it is facing unprecedented budget cuts and has no choice but to charge fair and consistent rents at market rates.
Have you added your voice to our petition yet?
You can sign up at www.lutontoday.co.uk, at the Luton News offices in Upper George Street, and at Age Concern shops in Farley Hill and Birdsfoot Lane.
You can also download and print out your own “Don’t Price Us Out!” campaign poster from our website.