Nick forced out by rent rise

Nick Shepphard said he had been forced out of his premises because of a 50 per cent rent increase.

Mr Shepphard has owned and operated the BP Service Station in Bowral and the adjoining workshop for 10 years.

However, the end of his 10 year lease spelt the end of his tenure.

"For the last 10 years I've paid $120,000 per year and the landlord said he wanted $180,000 per year from here on," Mr Shepphard said.

"I said I couldn't do it, and he said he had someone who would."

While the BP will continue to operate, it will be under different owners and Mr Shepphard will take the workshop, called Highlands Service Centre, to a new location.

The fish man, who has been a regular feature at the service station, will go with the relocated workshop.

"The new owners are here now and I'm leasing the workshop off them until I move," Mr Shepphard said.

"The workshop is going to Kirkham Road behind Reese Plumbing and next to the Co-op.

"All workshop services will remain the same and the phone number remains the same."

Mr Shepphard said he was well aware he was not the only local businessperson to be affected by increasing rent prices.

He said his wife was paying Sydney prices for her shop in the main street.

"Landlords don't understand that business is tough and they won't cut us a break," Mr Shepphard said.

"Rents no longer reflect the price of the properties."