The West End’s 180-Year-Old Costume Shop, Angels, Is Closing Because Of London’s Rent Increases

Its company director said that although the direct reason was a redevelopment scheme by the landlord, the store couldn’t find another place in the West End. She said, “At present, an independent store owner can be paying well over half-a-million pounds per year in rates and rents to take over an empty unit without stairs or fitted toilets. … That’s before you’ve done the flooring, fitted it out, hired staff and taken a single sale.” – The Stage (UK)