A newsagents owner is being forced to close his shop and move away from the village he has lived and worked in for 30 years after his rent allegedly doubled.

Vinny Patel, who runs Lina’s Newsagents in Little Chalfont, says he will have to give up the store and the flat above, where he lives with his wife and son, after Paradigm Housing reportedly doubled his rent.

Mr Patel, who is also a Little Chalfont parish councillor, told the Bucks Free Press he was “sad and upset” the housing association was “not even willing to negotiate” on the price.

He said: “They say it’s market value. I can’t afford to pay that sort of rent with my business so I have no choice but to close it and give the property back to Paradigm Housing.

“It will be an upheaval for my family. We have been trading here with the local community for the past 30 years.

“We will have to leave the village as the flat above the shop is where we live and that will have to be given back.”

Mr Patel said his customers were also “really sad” about the closure, adding that he would also no longer be able to serve on the parish council once he leaves the area to go and live with his brother and mother in north London while the family figure out their next move.

He added: “I am upset – I am leaving a community I know so well behind.

“Paradigm aren’t even willing to negotiate. I am not angry but I am sad that they are not willing to see where I am coming from.

“Although they are saying they are a charitable organisation, they are acting like a commercial landlord.”

Paradigm Housing said it was “disappointed” it could not reach an agreement with Mr Patel and his family, adding: “We understand they are an important part of the community in Little Chalfont.

“As a charitable organisation, with a mission to provide homes for people who need them most, we have a duty to make the best possible use of all our resources.

“This particular unit is owned by Paradigm Homes Charitable Housing Association, part of our business which has a duty to achieve a commercial return on its assets when they are not being used for charitable purposes.

“We have received independent professional advice as to the market rent for this property which consists of residential and commercial premises. Neither are used for charitable purposes.

“In recognition of Mr Patel’s long association with us and the importance of keeping amenities for local people we offered a new business tenancy at a rent below the market rent but one that still provides the commercial return required by charity law.

“Unfortunately Mr Patel feels unable to meet this requirement. We would like to wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”