The owners of a high-class menswear store are planning to move because they can't afford rent increases imposed by an Oxford University college.

WP Hine has been selling traditional menswear at its High Street site in Oxford since 1830.

But during the past ten years, managers say rents have tripled and they can't keep up with the payments.

Bosses believe they will be better off in Wantage where they are guaranteed customers who will find it easier to park to visit their shop - and rent is cheaper too.

Colin Knight, 53, of Stonesfield, who is a partner in the business, said he has tried to reason with St Edmund Hall, which owns the site, but rent collecting is now carried out by an agent.

He said: "When we took the shop over ten years ago our rent was £5,500 a year. They are now asking for £16,000.

"The property agents say this is the current market rent but while our rent has gone up unfortunately trade has not kept pace with it. "In fact trade seems to be reducing because people now get tour buses across Magdalen Bridge instead of walking through the High Street.

"In Wantage, we will get a much better deal in terms of rent and are confident that our regular customers will come with us.

"We think they will find it easier and cheaper to park in Wantage than in Oxford. We are sorry to be leaving but cannot cope with the rent rises."

He added that other High Street businesses were also experiencing problems.

A spokesman for St Edmund Hall was not available for comment.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.