Squeezed Brighton's shops fear for future amid hard times for high street

It's lunchtime at Dormitory, an independent bed-linen store on Gloucester Road in Brighton, and the proprietors, Sue Graham and Cathy Marriott, are peering across the street at the Brighton Sausage Co.

- Hazel Sheffield

They can tell when shoppers have stayed at home by the number of sausage rolls left in the window. It's a Tuesday before Christmas - supposedly the busiest time of the year. But there's still a big pile remaining."In 10 years' time, we're all going to be going: 'We need shops. Where have they all gone?'" Marriott says. Her warning echoes widespread fears for Brighton's plentiful independent shops, which have given the East Sussex city international renown.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of North Laine - the colourful streets around Dormitory filled with quirky gift shops and cafes - and the Lanes, the neighbouring area where the narrow passageways are famous for their jewellers and antique shops. Last month, research by American Express and GlobalData found that North Laine was the most popular destination in Britain for independents among generation Z shoppers.

But even here - the affluent home of some of the UK's favourite small businesses - what could be the last generation of shopkeepers is under threat. The challenges have racked up: Brexit and the pandemic, the growth of online shopping, a squeeze on consumer spending, increased costs and concerns over crime - problems some say the recent budget did not go far enough to address.

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced plans designed to ease the business rate burden on retailers. While some independents will be small enough to not pay rates, others may receive higher bills linked to lower discounts and an increase to their property value.

Many independent traders in Brighton also say any permanent discounts will be offset by increases to national insurance contributions and the minimum wage - and that they are not seeing any benefits for the rates they already pay.