The recession has claimed another long-running feature of the High Street.

Plumbwells, which occupied five units in Trafalgar Place, in Brighton's North Laine, has closed its doors after 30 years of trading.

It follows the recent closure of Keyhole Security on the same road, meaning almost 10% of retail space on Trafalgar Street has been vacated in just a few weeks.

Plumbwells owner Jim Smith, who employed two people, said he had made the “reluctant” decision to shut after trade fell dramatically in the past few months.

He said: “It was down to the severe economic downturn which made things really not viable any more.”

Demand for high ticket items from the public had fallen greatly, Mr Smith added, and business from property developers had dried up.

He said: “Trade just fell off a cliff. It started last year with the housing market downturn and we lost a lot of our developers through the doors.

“Some days it has been absolutely empty round here. We came through other recessions but this has been the worst I have experienced.”

Mr Smith admitted he has “no idea” what he plans to do next.

Peter Stocker, co-ordinator of the North Laine Traders Association, paid tribute to Plumbwells and Mr Smith.

He said: “It would have been a very tough decision to close because he devoted such a big chunk of his life to the business.”

Despite the recent closures, Mr Stocker is confident that the North Laine remains a popular place to set up a business.

He said: “I think the units will be filled as landlords seem to be becoming more sensible about rents. I was talking to someone in Sydney Street who said they were given a month rent free to let them do the place up.”

Soozie Campbell, city centre manager for the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, is also hopeful the units will not be empty for long.

She said: “It is very sad to see the end of such a well-established name. Plumbwells did well to survive as long as it did.

“Shops do seem to be setting up almost as soon as they become empty in the North Laine, which is not happening in other parts of the city.”