Herne Hill shops protest '80 per cent rent hike'

Shop owners on a popular street in Herne Hill have told ITV News they will be forced to shut down if their landlord goes ahead with plans to significantly raise their rent.

Residents today joined a noisy protest, in support of keeping their independent businesses.

One shop, a independent toy shop called Just William, has already shut down, and others on the street claim they are being pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.

The landlords, charity Dulwich Estate, insist the rent rises were a reasonable 29% - and the increases did not amount to the 80% protesters claim.

The charity runs a number of residential and commercial properties from which they generate income to upkeep a number of private schools.

Luke Hanrahan reports.