Traders have warned that plans to transform empty office blocks into drug and alcohol misuse clinics will seal the fate of a city shopping area.

They say the clinics, planned for St George's Place, Brighton, and the lower floors of Vantage Point, the site of the temporary library in New England Road, will damage the future of the London Road shopping area.

Mike Dodd, owner of Okinami in York Place, Brighton, and chairman of St Peter's Church Traders' Association, pleaded with Brighton and Hove city councillors to turn down the applications at their last planning meeting.

Mr Dodd said: "We recognise we do need this service but it does not need to be in the city centre. Why not put it on an industrial estate where it is not going to affect people?

"The reality is there are empty shops here, which are going to stay empty because people are not going to risk losing their savings by investing in an area that is becoming a drug haven.

"London Road is degenerating and it is going to become pretty rough. There is already a feeling of lawlessness around here. What with the high business rates and cheap parking in Churchill Square, I really do think this year is going to see a lot of businesses go to the wall."

The clinics, approved by councillors, will provide drug testing, counselling sessions, an outpatients' service, prescriptions and sterile needles.

Both clinics will be run by Crime Reduction Initiatives, which recently won a contract to provide drug substance misuse programmes in Brighton and Hove.

The services at Vantage Point have been commissioned by the Brighton and Hove Drug and Alcohol Action Team, while the clinic in St George's Place will replace the neighbouring Addaction centre, due to close in April.

CCTV cameras are expected to be installed at both sites.

Bec Davison, CRI area manager for Brighton and Hove, said: "We have measures in place to ensure our clients do not cause disruption to the local area."

Friday, January 27, 2006