MANY of Canterbury's long-established small shops are under threat from crippling rent increases and the new Whitefriars retail centre.

That is the fear of Bryan Cowley who is closing his photography business in the High Street after 35 years trading.

He says the decision was driven by the recent demand for a 40 per cent rent rise, which would push up the bill to £42,000 a year.

Mr Cowley and his family will continue trading at their other shop, the Canterbury Camera Centre opposite Safeway in St George's Place. But he says he is saddened by the decision to close the branch where he started out in business in Canterbury with his wife, Jari.

He explained: "It just wasn't viable to keep it going any more because of the spiralling costs. One of the problems is that some new businesses in the area have taken on big rents and that is setting a precedent.

"But how often has a new business come into the city and taken on a huge rent only to close down 18 months later?"

Bryan Cowley Photography is among several tenants of the Eastbridge Hospital Trust facing sharp increases.

Tony Pearce, of Anthony Pearce Jewellers is challenging a rent rise demand of 25 per cent by the Eastbridge Hospital.

He has run the business in St Peter's Street for the last 17 years, but an independent jewellers has been on the site for nearly 70 years.

He said: "The landlord has been very aggressive and is trying to get as much as possible. But we are also facing a big increase in business rates in the near future. If independent shops like ours are forced out it will drain the lifeblood out of Canterbury."

Mr Pearce shares Mr Cowley's view that the big operators in the new Whitefriars retail centre could actually threaten small businesses elsewhere in the city.

He said: "There are three new jewellery shops opening up right at the other end of the city centre which shoppers will be drawn to. It won't benefit us."

Mr Cowley, who is semi-retired, added: "I think the big operators in the Whitefriars could sound the death knell for some independents who are under attack from all sides.

"But the biggest problem is greedy landlords. They shouldn't assume that the new Whitefriars is going to be a gravy train for everyone else, because it won't."

Nicholas Andrews, who is clerk and receiver to the Eastbridge Hospital was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls.