'Big relief' for Nottinghamshire businesses as update issued on 26-day eviction notice

Business owners on an industrial estate in Nottinghamshire are breathing a big sigh of relief after the managers of the site retracted an eviction notice which gave them less than a month to move out. Around 20 firms situated at Botany Commercial Centre in Mansfield were left in an "impossible situation" after being served the notices on November 4.

The site's owners, Galaxy Real Estate, had given the businesses just 26 days to relocate before the roof was replaced, which required everyone to vacate the premises for at least 10 months. However, after campaigning against the decision, last week business owners were told they would be given until at least April 1.

“Everybody has had a big sigh of relief because they don’t have to leave anymore. I’m relieved. I can sleep better at night," said Alec Whitworth, the manager of Botany Avenue Indoor Carboot, which hosts 150 stallholders.

“I was concerned about everyone else and it put a lot of stress on me. Everybody’s over the moon and gave me a pat on the back and called me a hero. I have done nothing really more than would’ve been expected."

Mansfield Worktops, another business located at the site, was facing the prospect of having to lay off staff just before Christmas.

Lisa Minchin, who works for the firm, said she and colleagues are "really happy" that they will not have to relocate for now. “It’s a big relief, it’s definitely taken a weight off. We know we can fulfil the customer jobs and if need be we can look for a new place.

“It was sheer panic at the time but now we can rest a little bit. It was the most stressful three weeks we’ve had since we moved here. It’s already a challenging time leading up to Christmas."

Despite the relief of the extension, some businesses have decided to permanently leave, Mr Whitworth said. “It’s absolutely frustrating, it put everyone on edge and we couldn’t get an update. It was a lot of stress for everybody," he said.

“I know a lot of people who are annoyed and leaving anyway. [Galaxy] have showed their true colours.

“We’ll just have to see what happens. I will always be apprehensive and will second guess but otherwise I’ve got no other choice than to take their word.”

Ms Minchin added: “It seems unnecessary if they didn’t need to start them that urgently. This gives us a bit more time and we’re grateful for it but it does make you wonder why they did it."