Businesses in Brighton are getting early warnings about this year's Labour Party conference.

The city council and Sussex Police are writing to neighbours of the Brighton Centre more than six months before the event.

Officials hope by getting the dates of September 26/30 in diaries early, disruption to domestic or business arrangements will be minimised.

A letter to 1,000 addresses from head of conferences Adam Bates and Chief Superintendent Phil Clarke explains that hosting the Government will involve tight security.

The measures will not necessarily be identical to previous conferences but a key feature will again be a cordon around the main conference buildings, the Brighton Centre and the Grand and Metropole hotels.

The council and police say they expect all neighbouring businesses to operate normally.

Public meetings will be arranged for residents and businesses to meet the police and council on dates and locations to be circulated.

Information will also be posted on the council and police web sites in coming months.

Newsletters are planned on issues such as traffic, transport, access, refuse collection, street cleaning and parking.

Wednesday March 17, 2004