DELIVEROO has promised to work with its neighbours to support local businesses.

The delivery firm denied it was planning to expand its Hove “dark kitchen” which supplies residents in the western side of the city with takeaways and said it was simply trying to engage better with the community.

A spokesman for Deliveroo said: “Deliveroo Editions has been operating in Hove for almost a year now and during that time has helped expand customer choice in the city, supported the creation of local jobs and helped Brighton and Hove restaurants grow and expand.

“As part of our drive to better work with the local community we recently made ten commitments to Brighton residents and councillors outlining how we would engage, listen to and support the local community.

“This included an annual community budget to support residents, measures to address traffic concerns and a commitment to hold regular community meetings.”

The firm hit out after Brighton and Hove’s Green councillors raised concerns that the industrial kitchen in Saxon Works industrial estate, Olive Road, Hove would drive independent restaurants out of business.

The company said Brighton and Hove was one of its best performing locations and it hoped to support independent restaurants like Chilli Pickle.

It added that comments from a Brighton resident had sparked it to change its policy on providing plastic cutlery, which customers now have to ask for.

It added: “It is disappointing that these efforts to engage more with residents have been portrayed as a scare story about new Editions sites.

“Deliveroo has no plans to expand in Brighton beyond our existing site in the city and our sole aim was to improve our engagement with residents.

“We know Brighton has a vibrant diverse restaurant community and we are proud to bring residents amazing food from local restaurants, big and small. Restaurants who work with us see their revenue increase by up to 30 per cent which is why so many independent restaurants who have partnered with Deliveroo.

“We will continue to engage directly with local residents and will always be straight about our future plans.”