There is a down side to the boom in the North Laine area of Brighton during the last ten years.

The influx of new businesses is driving up rents and this means that some local enterprises are struggling to survive.

One of them is North Road Timber, which was told by Brighton and Hove City Council its rent would more than double.

Brighton and Hove City Council, as a substantial property owner, has to go with property trends to some extent.

But if it wants to encourage diversity in North Laine shops, it should show some flexibility to businesses like this.

It's hard for a timber business to change and make the sort of extra money necessary to pay such a huge rise.

The danger is that if it goes elsewhere and another coffee bar moves in, North Laine will lose the character and variety which currently draws in the visitors.