THE DIRECTOR of a commercial business centre has reassured tenants none of its tenants are currently at risk of eviction after fears were raised they could be kicked out.

Last week Business Argus reported concerns that up to 20 companies could be forced to leave Maritime House, on the east side of Shoreham Port.

The site has been marketed as a mixed development including 78 homes and 10,494 sq ft of commercial space.

Coast to Capital LEP and Shoreham Port Authority criticised plans to create homes in a commercial district, saying it would “hold back growth” at the port and adversely affect the wider regeneration of the Shoreham Harbour area.

Paul Crowther, managing director of Maritme House, said: “No small businesses currently face eviction from Maritime House at Shoreham Port.

“There is no current plan or future plan to remove or stop commercial office use at the Maritime House site.”

Maritime House, in Basin Road North. was granted partial residential use in 2014 within the existing building, with planning consent granted for a proportion of the building.

Mr Crowther insisted the plans would improve and potentially increase the amount of small business office space.

He added: “The owners of Maritime House are committed to promoting development which includes continuing commercial use for Brighton and Hove small business.”

But Peter Davies, development director at Shoreham Port, said the owners of Maritime House would have no power to safeguard business once the lucrative sale is made.

He said: “In terms of the impact on the businesses in Maritime House the sales brochure clearly highlights the option to convert the offices to apartments and in fact the current owners actively sought Prior Approval earlier this year for the conversion before putting it on the market.

“This is evidence of intent and therefore the risk [to SMEs] clearly exists.”