Juice bar squeezed out

Bar Juicy set up three years ago, offering shoppers healthy snacks and drinks.

The family business introduced customers to the delights of wheatgrass and served free organic porridge in winter.

But it is having to leave its home, a converted tram outside Brighton's main shopping centre, by the end of the month.

Bar Juicy owner Sheila McDonald said she was devastated when a shopping centre chief broke the news to her in mid-July.

She said: "Although this is a well-established business, I think they want to get in a bigger player.

"We were completely shocked. We've gone from strength to strength since starting the business. We have a good solid customer base."

It is thought the juice bar is to be replaced by a tram selling Greek food, such as kebabs.

Ms McDonald paid £15,000 annual rent for the tram plus 15 per cent of takings. She was told the rent for the bigger trams would be £20,000 to £25,000 plus about 20 per cent of takings.

Ms McDonald, who runs the business with her two sons and two staff, said: "We're not in that kind of league. So now we are going to be a homeless juice bar.

"We have built up three years of goodwill and it's all in the Western Road and Churchill Square area. We feel a part of the shopping centre."

It is thought another tram, originally owned by former Dollar singer David Van Day, will be another of the units disposed of.

Churchill Square marketing manager Peter Beard said: "Standard Life decided to exercise certain clauses in the agreement to terminate the business at an agreed date."

He refused to comment on the rent costs or proposed changes to the trams.

Ms McDonald has been looking at alternative sites for the business, including inside Churchill Square, but without any luck. Now she says she may be forced to sell up.

She said: "Maybe someone with an existing business could help us. Otherwise I'll have to hope I can find someone to buy the equipment - but we haven't got much time."