A bid to pedestrianise a busy shopping centre could force traders out of business, it is feared.

Shopowners said it could drive customers away from Boundary Road, Hove, and "turn it into another George Street".

They were stunned to hear of the proposals contained in Brighton and Hove Council's recently published draft Local Plan.

A spokeswoman for accessories shop One Better said: "This is the first we have heard of it. The council has said nothing to us about this. Any pedestrianisation scheme can only be bad for business.

"We have another shop in George Street and you only have to look at what has happened to takings there since pedestrianisation. Takings have fallen and some traders have moved away. I think the same will happen here."

In the draft Local Plan, the council aims to give priority to pedestrians between Vale Road and New Church Road, home to Tesco, Boots and Woolworths as well as independent traders.

Limited parking is provided on one side of the road and Tesco has a multi-story car park behind its store.

Matthew Brace, owner of sports shop Sports Corner, said: "Many elderly and disabled people come here because they can park close to the shops.

"If they can't do that they will go to Sainsbury's at Hangleton and will stop using Tesco. That could result in Tesco pulling out, which would have a knock-on effect on the rest of us. Tesco is the main retailer attracting people here."

Hove councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn has distributed hundreds of leaflets in the area urging people to object before the closing date of November 6.

He said: "If Boundary Road and Station Road are closed to traffic between these junctions, where will it go?"

He warned that surrounding residential roads could be used as rat-runs and added: "If this proposal becomes a reality, it could have a devastating effect on the whole area of west Hove and south Portslade."