IT IS sad to see small shops like Vinyl Revolution have been forced to close.

Though it may not always be obvious in Brighton, where many independent shops thrive, high streets across Sussex are in crisis.

The rise of online shopping has cut into businesses big and small, and clearly high business rates payments have not been a help either.

It is certainly an uncertain time for small traders. When a beloved shop like Choccywoccydoodah closes its doors, it is clear there is a major problem.

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As our new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson must ensure his Government helps the small businesses on our high streets.

Independent businesses are the heart of Brighton, be they record stores or vegetarian shoe shops.

But the solution for this crisis is not clear.

Reducing business rates is one option, but though this may benefit shops, councils will be starved of funds.

Business rates brought in £62.8 million for Brighton and Hove City Council last year. With local government funding dwindling, cutting this vital source of income could have bad results.

Not only will it mean councils are less able to maintain high streets, but they will also have to raise money in other ways, such as hiking parking fees. That could be just as damaging to shops.

For the most part, the low cost and high convenience of online shopping is to blame for our high street crisis. It is hard to see how to solve this crisis.

We can only hope the Government takes action to save small retailers, otherwise shopkeepers will have to take drastic measures.