A forgotten corner of a busy shopping street must be given a new lease of life, according to traders.
The area around North Street’s junction with Ship Street in Brighton is currently home to a string of empty shops, including the former TK Maxx store.
The area has been described as the bridge between the North Laine and The Lanes and city bosses have been urged to do more to encourage investors.
The city’s most recent retail vacancy rate survey showed North Street was the worst hit in the last quarter, with five new properties becoming empty.
Stuart Wilkie, a trader in The Lanes, suggested the buildings should be painted pink to make the area more distinctive.
Mr Wilkie, the owner of Charlie Barley in Meeting House Lane, said: “This is the bridge between the North Laine and The Lanes so it is enormously important.
“There have been problems getting people to occupy those shops because the rates are so high.
Distinctive feel
“It would be better if the area had a more distinctive feeling.
“If there was one colour scheme for one particular area people would know, for example, – ‘Oh, that’s the area with the pink buildings’.
“North Street suffers from competing with Western Road, so it needs to have its own distinctive offer.
“We need to find a way to get those shops full again and revive the area.” Council leader Bill Randall said: “The economic recession has hit big as well as small retailers hard.
“The numbers of empty commercial properties in the council’s own portfolio is very low, and as a city we fare well compared to regional and national averages.
“The proportion of vacant shops in the city centre is about 6% compared to a national average of 14%.
“However we are not content with the situation and are doing what we can.
“We support various business forums, partnerships and the Business Improvement District, as well as offering skills training and support to retailers such as ‘Dressed for Success’.
“The council has also begun a review panel into support for retail sector which will be meeting over the coming months.”
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