A WORRIED business duo are desperately seeking a new pitch in town after being told their Broad Street Mall shop has to close just weeks before the busy Christmas period begins.

For two years, Deepak Dhall, 37, and partner Harjinderpal Singh have run the Quick Phone Repair stall at the entrance to the mall since September 2019.

The pair were shocked to return from a family funeral in India earlier this month to find their business had been served an eviction notice.

Mr Dhall said the initial notice gave them less than two weeks to pack up and move out.

He said: “We were in India at a family funeral, we returned on September 19, when everything was closed because of the funeral of the Queen, from September 20 we started looking – we hardly got a week to look for another place.

“They said we have no space, there are empty units in the mall, there are spaces in the mall, it’s only targeted at us.”

Mr Dhall claimed the mall managers had only changed their licence periods from six months to one month since July, adding the threat of closure has taken its toll on the partners.

READ MORE: Store in Broad Street Mall to close permanently

Mr Dhall said: “We’re really stressed, we’re seeking medication now. My patner Harjinderpal is really ill, sick every morning, because we can’t sleep.

“It’s our bread and butter, we don’t have any other business. How would anyone feel when they don’t know where they are going to get their Christmas bread and butter from?”

Reading Chronicle: he notice to leave that Harjinderpal Singh of Quick Phone Repair received on September 16. Credit: Deepak Dhall / Broad Street Mallhe notice to leave that Harjinderpal Singh of Quick Phone Repair received on September 16. Credit: Deepak Dhall / Broad Street Mall

The businessman added: “It’s unfair and unethical. We really need justice.

“When they started giving us one month licences, they could’ve given the notice at that time, and said ‘listen guys we’re giving you one month notice, start looking for something’ but not in the middle of the month saying you are going by the end of the month.

“10 days to leave is not enough.”

Quick Phone Repair have since been given an extra month to operate in the mall before they have to leave by the end of October.

READ MORE: Looking back at town's Broad Street Mall on 50th year anniversary

Mr Dhall is still worried that they will be unable to find anywhere as stalls and businesses prepare for the Christmas period.

A spokesperson for Broad Street Mall said: “The contract between Mr Dhall and Mr Singh trading as Quick Phone Repair and Broad Street Mall operated on a 30-day trading licence agreement.

“At the end of the term either party can choose not to renew.

“Broad Street Mall has reached an agreement with Quick Phone Repair to extend their trading licence until the end of October as a goodwill gesture, with the tenants being aware that they will leave the centre as of that date.

“Broad Street Mall has enjoyed working with Mr Dhall and Mr Singh to date, and the centre is assisting in trying to relocate Quick Phone Repair to another site if possible.”