SHOP closures have been a constant in the news this year as changing habits hit the fortunes of - to name but a few - House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer and Chimichanga.

Various reasons are given for the closures such as the rise in internet shopping and the high cost of retail rent.

But one corner of Hereford city centre had bucked the national trend as a number of independent outlets sprung up in and around West Street and gathered a group of loyal customers.

The area behind the Green Dragon and the old Woolworths store already had long-established businesses such as Ascaris and Thai on Wye but the addition of Rule of Tum, The Den, the Hereford Beer House and the Dog House had brought added energy to what are, essentially, hidden backstreets.

Hereford Indie Food Festival is a great example of the area’s organic rise but this all looks like coming to an abrupt end after properties changed hands.

Business owners have been informed their rents are to rise - and lengths of leases need to increase.

The Den restaurant has already spoken and decided to move to Bridge Street while others are yet to show their hand.

Councils and regional quangos across the country spend fortunes to create independent areas like these which offer something imaginative and so different to the national chain stores.

We can only hope that those officials with clout and influence can step in to prevent the demise of this wonderful little area of buzz and creativity.