At a time when graffiti figures prominently in The Argus, both in editorials and the letters page, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight an example of good practice in Brighton and Hove.

The North Street block that stretches from King Place to Bond Street is practically all owned by Prudential Property plc.

Over a period of time, all the shops had been vandalised to a greater or lesser degree by graffiti offenders. I contacted the owners, who helpfully put me in touch with Scottish and Newcastle Retail, which has the tenancy of Premier Lodge Hotel and is responsible for the maintenance of the entire block.

After asking just once if it would remove the graffiti, the company quickly and efficiently did so without any fuss.

If every business in the city was as responsible as Prudential Property and Scottish and Newcastle, we wouldn't have a graffiti problem.

-Tony Mernagh, Brighton City Centre Business Forum