WORRIED shopkeepers say Chester's historic Rows are dying amid a trading crisis.

Footfall and profits are down at a time of increasing rents and specialist shops are considering their future.

John Musgrave, of furniture store Batavia on Watergate Row,said:'I've decided to close because of how bad trade is.

'We were down 50% in December and January and even now trade's 20-25% down compared to last year.

'It's hard enough to get people up here in the first place but they are then put off because the Rows are dirty and full of skateboarders.

'There are definitely fewer people coming into Chester and I get comments about how difficult it is to park.'

Mr Musgrave said renewing his private lease this year would have involved a 10% hike in his £42,000 rent.

He warned: 'On Bridge Street especially there are units that have been empty for a significant period of time and there could be a snowball effect if shops continue to close.'

John Murphy, of Moor Hall Antiques on Watergate Row, claimed the Rows were 'in crisis', describing the situation as his worst in 13 years of trading.

'Things are really bad and I will have to look at my long term future here because I'm not making a living for myself,' he said.

'When I first opened there were 11 antiques shops on Watergate Street and it was a major antiques centre in the north. Now there are only three or four left.'

Howard Harrison, of Kites Aloft on Bridge Street Row, said the Rows were 'dying' and he feared the Northgate Development would take more shoppers away.

'It's already a case of survival trading for many people,' he said.

But Mr Harrison added it was not too late to halt the decline and was positive after recent talks between traders and Chester City Centre Management.

'Without us retailers here the Rows die and Chester loses the jewel in its crown,' he said. 'We don't want to become just like any other city.'

rob.devey@cheshirenews.co.uk