Barrister instructed as CPS Shopping Centre owner asked to pause eviction notice

INDEPENDENT Cllr. Neil Johnson is calling on the owner of the CPS Shopping Centre to pause an eviction notice on village traders after instructing a barrister to consider a legal challenge.

It follows a decision by London-based Shivat Haminim Capital Ltd to serve an eviction notice on traders at the CPS Shopping Centre, last Thursday, giving them until the end of February to close their businesses and vacate the premises above the local Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Cllr. Johnson said: I once again spent the afternoon with traders in CPS, working on the case to Save Our Shops. I’m pleased that we have now been able to instruct a barrister to assist them with qualified legal advice as we move to the next stage of our campaign.

“I have now posted my letter to Shivat Haminim Capital Ltd. I am asking them to pause their plans to evict the traders until we have held a face-to-face meeting, where all interested parties can get around the table with the landlord and discuss any alternative options that may be available.
“I have offered to host this meeting so that we can get the best possible outcome for our shop workers.

The shock decision to close the arcade on health and safety grounds following a fire inspection will impact more than 20 local businesses situated in the CPS Shopping Centre arcade.
At the weekend local traders spoke of their dismay saying the inmpact on their livelihoods would be devastating, with mortgages to pay and families to feed.
Some have operated from the premises for many years and say they will not have time to relocate their businesses at such short notice.
Meanwhile, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols is investigating the fire report which the owners say has given them no choice but to close the premises while works are carried out.

Traders and politicians react to shock closure notice on CPS Shopping Centre