With regard to the article about Brighton and Hove City Council ordering a trader on St James’s Street to remove his shop door as it is “not in keeping with the area”
(The Argus, August 19), this is the final straw for me and Brighton and Hove City Council.
I remember in the mid 1980s when Kemp Town and St James’s Street were run down, had boarded-up shops and was a total mess.
In the past couple of years things have really started to look up. More and more traders are being attracted to the area and I can only think of one empty shop on St James’s Street.
The road I have lived on for almost 20 years, George Street, just off St James’s Street, has seen many established Brighton businesses move here over the past year which have brightened the area up and brought even more commerce into Kemp Town.
The road has a buzz and I love saying hello to all the shopkeepers when I get my paper in the morning.
While the planning department is correct to preserve old buildings and the mix of shops and restaurants in Kemp Town, it should loosen the leash around traders’ necks on some issues.
Do we want Kemp Town full of faceless shops, devoid of personality? No. The people who live here would like to see individual traders bringing character to the area.
I could understand if this trader had removed a stained-glass Victorian door, original to the building, but as I remember, this shop had a plastic-looking, cheap door dating from the 1980s. Is this the look the council is trying to preserve?
I urge the council to reconsider its stance on this door. I understand that should this trader not take his door down he will be fined. If this happens I am more than happy to make a contribution to his fine as I am sure many other people will be as well.
Sandra and Graham Gibbson, George Street, Kemp Town, Brighton
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