Business owners in a shopping arcade are having to pay full rent to the building's landlords, despite being closed due to coronavirus.
Patrick Smith, the owner of the long-running Primrose Café, has called on Moorpoint Limited to offer rent relief to the 16 independent retailers in Clifton Arcade throughout the lockdown.
Moorpoint, which is owned by David Bell, John McGill and Brian Woodward, is said to take in more than £320,000 in annual rent from businesses in the Grade II listed building.
Patrick opened the popular café 27 years ago along with his wife Susan and said the couple are being offered "no support".
"I know landlords have a business to run but at the same time I feel Moorpoint could be a bit more flexible," said the 60-year-old.
"Me and Susan have been here for nearly 30 years and we've always paid on the nose without fail, but they are offering no support and are insisting on full rent payment throughout the period of forced closure.
"We have 15 employees who are all on furlough at the moment but myself, Susan and the other owner are all essentially unemployed.
"I am confident we will be able to reopen but it's going to be tough to get back onto an even keel if we're having to pay full rent.
"I imagine building up custom again when we're able to reopen will be a long hard graft."
The 60-year-old added he is aware of some landlords who are offering a reduction in rent to their tenants in Bristol.
He is a landlord himself, he said, and has offered the owner of the café in the building he owns a 50 per cent reduction to support them.
The government grant the café has received "chips away very quickly," he said.
Response from Moorpoint
In a letter sent to tenants of the Arcade by Moorpoint the company's directors, who are selling the building through Hartnell Taylor Cook with an asking price of £4.5m, said "it is just not feasible" to give everyone a rent holiday.
Speaking to Bristol Live, the directors outlined further support they are offering tenants.
They said: "We have also omitted any service charges and have forwarded the link for the grant applications.
"In addition we have sent further advice to those traders who are experiencing difficulty or delay in obtaining the Government support:
"Until you get the grant we suggest you pay what you can so that the arrears are manageable.
"Many tenants are making payment of a proportion of their rent. At the same time they acknowledge the total debt, and give assurances to settle the outstanding arrears once they are in receipt of their grant from Bristol City Council.
"We are continuing to review all these arrangements as the Government's response to the virus crisis unfolds and consider that the approach we have taken is both fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
"We look forward to a time when the restrictions are lifted and we can work with our loyal tenants to ensure a successful future for the Arcade."
The trio added that they have "continued to invest over time (in the Clifton Arcade) including the recent replacement of the glazed roof".
