The owner of a popular and award-winning deli in Hampstead says the future of his business is "highly uncertain".
Tania's of Hampstead is one of a clutch of businesses remaining at the former Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium in Heath Street.
Former owner Staplepine sold the emporium to Safestay earlier this month after 25 traders were given notice to leave the premises.
READ MORE: Tania's of Hampstead only surviving business in antiques emporium
Ghassan Akar built his cafe and deli business from a van at the entrance of the emporium in 2009 and upgraded to a unit in 2014. His lease runs out in May next year.
His shop sits in the courtyard, which hundreds of visitors and traders passed through but which now may stand in the way of regeneration.
"I want clarification," said the grandfather-of-five.
Ghassan claims that one of new co-owners of the emporium visited him and allegedly offered him £2,000 and three months' free rent to leave.
Ghassan said: "I told him I wanted £50,000 and he said 'are you serious?' and I said 'are you serious, you are offering me £2k?' and that's where we left it."
All traders enjoyed low rent in exchange for a run-down and neglected premises.
READ MORE: Protest at closure of Hampstead Antiques & Craft Emporium
Ghassan pays £600 a month, which includes all bills and is a rate he is unlikely to find elsewhere.
Cllr Stephen Stark, Conservative representative for Hampstead Town, said he spoke to the owners at a "constructive" meeting.
"If you take it as face value we don't know what will happen. He clearly has an intention to keep it as a market.
"It's quite clear there's been a lack of investment there over many years
"I made it clear to him that if he improves it significantly people will want to trade in it."
They did not speak about Tania's. Cllr Stark added: "That's a bit worrying.
"Ghassan's a really nice chap and he's got a good business and he's been there a long time.
"I don't know if there's an opportunity for him to get a payment holiday and come back when it's all done."
The co-owner, who asked not to be named, did not wish to comment on Tania's.
He said: "We don't know yet what is happening. We have got planning teams and architectures to look at what work needs doing there."
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