As secretary of the North Laine Traders Association, I was very surprised to see the article headlined "North Laine shops are shutting down" (The Argus, March 3).

While it is true a number of shops are on the market, the same was true this time last year.

After Christmas is traditionally the time shops become available - summer and Christmas are usually the busiest times for small, independent traders.

This year, due to both increases in business rates and commercial property prices rising in line with residential units in the city, there are slightly more properties on the market than in some years but this is over the whole city and not just North Laine.

The point of my letter is, yes, it is difficult to make a living as a small trader but, for each shop that is closing, we have new traders waiting and paying premiums to trade in North Laine.

To give an example from your story, Paul Clark's shop, Music Meltdown, sold within 24 hours of going on the market and had three people bidding to take it on.

I believe North Laine will continue to thrive because it has the most interesting shops and most unusual merchandise in the city.

Historically, it has been an area with smaller shops which will change hands as they always have - that's the nature of North Laine.

We are often the starting place for new young businesses, such as the original Body Shop.

North Laine is a conservation area, with the average shop area being approximately 400 square feet.

When shops become established and wish to expand, they move on to larger units in other parts of the city, allowing room for other young business to take their place.

Of course, one way to ensure the small traders of North Laine survive is to use them.

Next time you want an unusual gift, try our small, independent businesses and you will find a lot more choice than in most High Street stores.

-Peter Stocker, North Laine, Brighton