So it appears another family run, independent business is set to leave the Maltings.

Not, it seems, because Little Wonders cannot pay its bills, but because a larger company is prepared to pay a higher lease.

If that is true, it is a disgrace.

The Review has attempted to establish the facts but sadly both the Maltings and its management company EFM Facilities have refused to comment.

Our Retailer of the Year competition - run in conjunction with St Albans District Council, St Albans Civic Society and St Albans Chamber of Commerce - has proved to be such a success because of the wide range of independent shops which have thrived in St Albans over the years.

Ironically Little Wonders won the specialist shops category in 2009 and was also named overall Retailer of the Year.

Removing these independent retailers one by one is a hammer blow and could sound the death knell of the city centre.

Without Little Wonders where will people buy childrens’ toys from? They will head to the supermarkets and the larger brand name stores on retail estates hitting footfall in the city centre further.

The stated lease rise - £35,00 to £49,000 - is an extortionate increase which most businesses would struggle to meet.

To give the shops’ owners 30 days to come up with it is another slap in the face to a loyal leaseholder.

There may well be mitigating circumstances but these have not been explained to the Review by the Maltings or EFM.

One thing is certain however.

The damage the closure of a shop like Little Wonders could cause should not be underestimated.

This is a short-sighted move which could cause all independent retailers in the city centre long term damage.