Some retailers have refused to pay part of their service charge to Westfield in a stand-off between shopkeepers and the property developer over its decision to increase fees at the Westfield shopping mall just days after the £1.6bn retail centre opened.

Next, the fashion chain, is one of the retailers that is refusing to pay part of its service charge after Westfield, having given a guide for the annual cost of £8.50 a sq ft, increased that figure to about £14 a sq ft, making it one of the most expensive shopping centre fees in the UK.