AN AWARD-WINNING cheesemonger has accused his landlord of forcing him out of Lyme Regis after a row over a lease.

Justin Tunstall from Town Mill Cheesemongers has shut down after claims that his business did not fit with the “Town Mill community”.

But town mill trustees have rejected the claims, saying Mr Tunstall turned down their ease offers.

The Town Mill Cheesemonger is no longer trading at the town mill or anywhere in the town.

Mr Tunstall, who last year attempted unsuccessfully to sell his business, said he was only offered a one-year lease, or a three-year lease for a new tenant, in a letter.

He said: “Our landlords, the town mill trustees, no longer want us here. They want a business that’s a better fit with the town mill community.

“Sadly, no-one wanted to buy the business and trade at the town mill.

“Had I not received the letter telling me that we were no longer welcome at the mill, then I would have looked at an extension while the business was still being marketed.

“At this point the business had two options – stay where I was clearly unwelcome or move the business elsewhere, then build it up again with a view to selling after a couple of years trading figures,” added Mr Tunstall.

“Accordingly we are not staying at the mill. As I have not sold the business, I am unable to retire at this time.”

Trustees at the Town Mill Trust have responded by saying it was Mr Tunstall’s decision not to renew his lease.

Gary Willis, chairman of the trustees at the Town Mill Trust, said Mr Tunstall was offered a “one-off three-year lease”.

He said: “The cheesemonger has been successful, and is a business capable of operating from any retail location in Lyme Regis. 

“The town mill has supported the cheesemonger for years in terms of the space and the rent level.

“Faced with his proposed sale of the business, we considered a further three-year lease to be out of keeping with our future plans for the town mill and informed Justin accordingly. 

“He reacted badly – understandably so,” added Mr Willis.

“Despite the fact that he had no right to renew or reassign his lease, we offered to provide Justin or a prospective buyer with either a three-year lease or a one-year licence. This was not a grudging offer, we simply agreed we would help him out with a one-off three-year lease.

“Two clear facts remain beyond the dispute. Justin Tunstall failed to sell his business. He also rejected two alternative offers from the trust for continuation. So it was he alone who decided to close his business.”