Brighton and Hove’s trademark independent shops are still “vibrant” despite pressure from supermarkets.

According to a council report, resilient traders have specialised with niche organic goods and locally sourced produce to see off competition from the big chains.

The document shows that employment levels in small shops with between one and ten employees have remained steady, with business units increasing from 1,350 to 1,400.

Council bosses have now pledged to further support traders by expanding its Be Local, Buy Local campaign and its Business Lifebelt support programme. Councillor Ted Kemble, cabinet member for enterprise, said: “Brighton and Hove’s local retail sector remains vibrant and provides major employment.

“However, these are difficult economic times and we must continue our support.

“The Be Local, Buy Local campaign encourages more people to use their local shops.

“Businesses can sign up to the campaign and raise their profile on our website.

“There is ongoing work to make sure policies in favour of retaining small retail units and maintaining balanced shopping districts go into the city’s planning framework.”

Andrew Nichols, chairman of the Hove Business Association, said smaller shops had to be innovative to stay ahead of the big chains.

He said: “Bob Mulholland runs the wine shop opposite Tesco in Church Road.

“He’s still there and that’s a prime example of a business surviving in the face of what is deemed to be difficult competition.”

However, after recent controversy at the opening of Tesco in St James’s Street and in Queen’s Road, the report warns that the council cannot turn planning applications down from supermarkets on the basis of competition.

The report also highlights the benefits of a supermarket attracting new shoppers to an area, providing that conditions are right.

It revealed that when Tesco opened in Hove in 2003, it attracted some 30,000 new visitors to the area.

Traders in nearby George Street did not feel any benefit, however, because of parking restrictions at the supermarket.

See how independent traders are beating the recession in next week’s Business supplement.