The owner of a family-run newsagent facing closure to make way for new homes has told of his “hopeless” situation as he anxiously awaits a court date to learn the fate of his business.
Sunny Patel, who bought Sunny News in Wimbledon Park Road, Southfields, 28 years ago, was asked to leave by the freeholder in March last year.
The landlord issued a Section 25 order under the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act declaring the lease had ended and applied for planning permission from Wandsworth council to convert the building from retail to residential use. Residents backed Mr Patel, who runs the shop with his wife Jamie, by sending 430 objection letters and a petition to the council.
Planners unanimously decided not to grant the landlord’s request and granted Asset of Community status — which protects businesses from development. But both have been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal.
Mr Patel, 55, is now taking his case to court and is awaiting a hearing date. If he is not successful, he will have 90 days to leave the property.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening, who is MP for Putney, has backed efforts to save the shop.
Solicitors for the landlord refused to comment.
