THE last remaining greengrocers in Eastcote is closing down after becoming the next victim of ever increasing rent rates.

Jamisons in Field End Road has been the only greengrocers in the high street for about eight years, but the owner, Kevin Jamison, cannot afford to pay the new lease and has decided to close on Saturday (27).

Mr Jamison, 45, said: "We are closing because the lease expired in May and I have been negotiating with my landlord (Transport for London) since then, but we have not been able to agree on a new lease. They want to increase it by 40 per cent and I am not prepared to pay it.

"I will surrender the lease and go to a low cost rental place in Denham where I will expand my free home delivery service.

"I am setting up a website and everything I sell is going to be listed and priced up on there so customers can either order it online or by phone.

"There will be special offers on it every week and it will be updated at least once a week. I think it has got great potential to be honest.

"What I want to keep is the personal touch that the greengrocer gives.

"A lot of my regular customers seem quite up for it and the response has been very good so far."

Mr Jamison opened his shop 10 years ago, but other shops around him keep closing which his not helping his business. Addiction jewellery shop next to Eastcote tube station closed about a month ago and Pigeons shoe shop, which was one of the oldest shops in the high street, closed in April.

He said: "There are about four or five empty shops just where I am. Shops are emptying as quick as anything.

"There's nowhere in Eastcote where you can buy everyday things so there's no reason for anyone to come here. The high street is just going down and down.

"I am fighting a losing battle because all the shops next to me are closing down.

"I think high streets will get worse because people are shopping at supermarkets because they think they are cheaper than high street shops. They are being brainwashed into thinking that by the supermarkets."

Mr Jamison's new website, www.jamisonsonline.com, should be up and running by the end of next week.

Email him at veggiekev@yahoo.co.uk if you have any questions.