Sky-high rents in Oxford are 'killing our trade' (From Oxford Mail)

Sky-high rents in Oxford are 'killing our trade' (From Oxford Mail)

A WOULD-BE shop owner has warned sky-high rents are making it “impossible” to open a store in Oxford.

Rhian Clark, who lived in the city for 20 years, said her dreams of launching a gift shop in Jericho or Little Clarendon Street were in tatters after she was priced out of the market.

Last night she warned the area was becoming a “run-down, sad part of Oxford” and urged landlords to offer more reasonable rates.

Earlier this month the Oxford Mail revealed how Little Clarendon Street was in crisis, with three independent shops closing in quick succession and others teetering on the brink.

Mrs Clark, who now lives in Wiltshire, said: “Being unable to afford the rents in Oxford town centre, I thought the Jericho area would be a good alternative as I know it well, and I thought my shop would be a good addition.”

Mrs Clark said she had been quoted between £24,000 and £28,000 rent a year for shops in the street.