FIVE shopkeepers who refused to move out during renovation work, claiming they were given too little notice, are packing up and admitting defeat.

They face thousands of pounds of legal bills after they failed to successfully challenge their landlord's order to leave for up to six months.

City Sites initially gave the traders in Rainham Shopping Centre just six weeks to get out, although that was later extended by a month. But now staff at Rainham Health Food Centre, The Bookmark, Xpressions, Quidsaver and Barry's Fruiterers are finally clearing out their shops so they can leave early next week.

One trader has decided it would cost too much to temporarily move to another building and another has had to pay £20,000 to renovate the temporary premises.

Barry Abbott, owner of Barry's Fruiterers, said: "The landlords have walked all over us. ItÕs a case of David and Goliath but David lost. We felt we had to go out fighting."

Mr Abbott will still operate from his base in Twydall but will not trade in Rainham precinct until the work is finished. He was moving from his shop this morning.

The five traders wanted six months' notice before moving out, but the landlord did not agree. Traders were given six weeks' notice that they would have to move out for work on subsidence. The initial deadline of May 1 was then moved to June 1.

Ten shops received letters to move, but five decided to hold out.

At London's High Court last week, the judge ruled against the five traders who challenged the order. Other shop owners in the precinct had already moved out. Many have gone to premises that had been empty in Station Road.

Beverley Hallam, owner of Xpressions hair salon, had to spend £20,000 on renovating temporary premises in Station Road after she moved from the precinct in mid-May.

She said: "We are obviously very disappointed with the decision. We should have had, at least, more notice. The precinct is like a ghost town now."

Graham Harrison, owner of Bookmark, is moving to Station Road on Monday. He said: "We worked very hard towards this and we are very disappointed with the result of the case. We donÕt believe justice was done."

The shopkeepers say they cannot afford to appeal.

Queensbridge Management, which manages the shops affected for City Sites, said it did not have anyone available who could comment.