Traders at a shopping centre threatened with closure have handed in a petition calling for help to save their livelihoods.

In July this year, business owners in the InShops centre, Wealdstone, were given just four days to close their businesses down by the centre's owners, but two weeks later managed to keep the centre open for an extra six months after taking legal action.

Traders have been given the date of January 25 next year as the day the centre will close.

Shopkeepers yesterday handed in a petition to Harrow Borough Council yesterday calling for support with the coming closure in the New Year.

Some of the dozen shops have been there for more than ten years, and more than 550 people signed the petition.

Jenny Lawrence-Ricketts, who has run Jenny’s Cards at the centre for four years, said: “All the traders are very sad and disappointed about closure.

“With the petition we want to show people that the community really do value and care about our businesses and want us to stay. We are still open and people are still shopping here.

“We just want some support for our future, because come the end of January we do not know where we will be and what will happen. I am worried I will lose my livelihood.”

Councillor Navin Shah, who has helped the traders, said: “This is a matter of people’s livelihoods being lost.

“These shops have been here for a long time and are and enjoyed by the whole community.

“The centre is a big contributor to the footfall in Wealdstone High Street, and if it goes it could have dramatic effect on other business in the road.”

No plans have been announced or submitted for the site in High Street, Wealdstone, but there has been speculation flats or a supermarket will be built there.

The Harrow Times Has contacted Harrow council about InShops and is awaiting a reply.