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Ram Odera with James Murray and Mouna Hamitouche
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Sell-off will scupper my expansion hopes, claims shopkeeper
A SHOPKEEPER has had his plans to expand next door dashed – because he fears the Town Hall is offering the property to a developer.
Ram Odera has run Cally Food and Wine store, at a shopping parade in Caledonian Road near the junction with Copenhagen Street, since 1978. Business has been booming and Mr Odera had planned to expand to a next-door shop, a former chemist’s. But he has discovered it is one of 90 owned by the council expected to be sold to a developer.
Mr Odera said: “I’ve given 30 years of service to this community. I thought when the next-door shop became available it would be the perfect opportunity to expand. But if I’m going to be competing with a large developer I’ve got no chance.”
He is supported by Labour councillors James Murray and Mouna Hamitouche. Cllr Murray said: “There are 15 council-owned shops for sale in Caledonian Road alone. But no one is being told what is going on.” Traders will have the chance to bid for their own properties. Those whose shops are bought by developers are likely to face spiralling rents. |
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