Traders are celebrating after winning a reprieve in their fight to stop a 60 per cent rent hike.

More than 200 residents and businesses in Southwick Square signed a petition and said the area could become a ghost town because of the rise.

They said they could quit the area because of the increase, which Adur Council wanted backdated to last June when a rent review should have been completed.

Now councillors have decided not to make any increase until they have debated the issue.

An emergency Labour motion to "put on hold future rent increases until proprietors have been fully involved in negotiations and if necessary appropriate arbitration" was backed at a full meeting of the council.

The motion also backed a debate on the future process to fix commercial rents by councillors at "both executive and scrutiny committee level" and involve local businesses.

Councillor Mike Willson, leader of Adur's Labour group, said: "Because of misguided budget cuts, short-handed council staff have had to hastily bring in outside consultants to carry out these rent reviews.

"Contrary to what local Labour councillors wanted, no account was being taken of the adverse effect on the square's viability of these massive 60 per cent rent increases.

"It's accepted that rents need to rise after ten years but businesses need to plan ahead. I think phased increases should be considered bearing in mind the need to retain Southwick Square as a thriving, well-liked place to shop and visit."

Conservative council leader Neil Parkin said it was council officers' responsibility to get a good deal for taxpayers.