TRADERS have urged the council to act on Preston Street – or risk presenting a “shabby” impression to visitors when the i360 opens.

Preston Street Traders Association has long supported the viewing tower as a way of regenerating the area.

But chairman Angelo Martinoli, owner of Casalingo Restaurant, who wants the street pedestrianised, is frustrated over the slow progress of talks.

He said: “We’re in the middle of nowhere and desperate for something to happen, but no-one seems to care.

“Time is of the essence. If we don’t put a plan forward in April then we will have to wait another five years.

“I’m very disappointed that the council has been so slow. I’m not sure if they don’t want to deal with us.

“We’ve had an offer from i360 to do a survey on the street plan but they have to wait for the council to come back.

“If we don’t sort it out the street will look very shabby when the i360 opens.”

The i360 broke ground earlier this year with a planned opening in 2016.

Visitors will be encouraged to travel by train and walk to the tower, with Western Road and Preston Road one of the obvious routes.

Mr Martinoli said pedestrianising Preston Street would relieve congestion on Western Road while boost footfall and business.

He added: “There are some businesses such as the laundrette and pizza takeaway which need access, but this could be included in the plan.

“Pedestrianisation would encourage more people to walk through the city centre, increase footfall, business and increase the number of staff we employ.”

Eleanor Harris, chief executive of i360, said: "We are very supportive of any plans to regenerate Preston Street?.

“We would back proposals to pedestrianise the street after morning deliveries have finished to enable the restaurants to thrive.

“With the opening of the i360 beach-side brasserie and new restaurant at the Hilton, we believe this part of Brighton could once again become a top culinary destination".

A council spokesman said: “We believe strongly that the i360 itself will be the key driver in the regeneration of Preston Street, and we have played a pivotal role in enabling the i360 development to happen.

“In recent years Preston Street has had around £50,000 spent on improvements at the top and bottom of the street, and the nearby Regency Square car park has had hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on improvements aimed at attracting more people to use it and access the local area.

“We have also ensured that the newly refurbished seafront arches have not been let to food and beverage outlets in order to help existing businesses.

“We will continue to seek funding from external sources for improvements to the Preston Street area.

“There are no current plans for a pedestrianisation scheme for Preston Street, but council officers are continuing to work with local traders to consider possible future improvements.”