The Big Issue, the magizine which helps the homeless to help themselves, is itself facing being turfed out on to the streets

The magazine's Brighton and Hove distribution centre, set up in 1991 to help destitute people earn an income without begging, is to be thrown out of its premises following a row over late rent.

Staff at the Big Issue offices in Queen's Road, Brighton, have been told to leave by the end of June.

Community Base, which owns the seven-storey building, says it will not renew the lease because the magazine has failed to pay rent on time for several months.

Peter Wileman, manager of the magazine's Brighton branch, said he was disappointed with the charity's decision and warned many of the services it offered to homeless people would be lost.

He said: "Homeless people's lives tend to be relatively unstable and the last thing they need is further instability.

"The Big Issue is more than just a magazine. We provide job training, creative writing and art courses, and computer training and support for people with mental health or substance abuse problems."

There are about 80 registered Big Issue vendors in Sussex and all are served by the Brighton offices.

Mr Wileman said: "We were set up as an alternative to begging and the nightmare scenario is that people we used to help will resort to this.

"But finding somewhere to distribute the magazine on a temporary basis should not be too hard.

"My main worry is that we will not be able to provide all the other services.

"Homeless people do not just suffer from a lack of accommodation and in many cases need more than the income from selling the Big Issue to meet their needs."

Mr Wileman is also concerned about the public reaction even if a new home is found.

He said: "Finding accommodation for individuals and business in Brighton is hard enough but when a business such as ours tries to move there are even more obstacles.

"There are almost always objections from neighbours who raise fears over the nature of the work we do."

Staff had hoped Brighton and Hove City Council would broker a deal with Community Base, which also looks after 30 other charitable organisations at Queen's Road.

But a spokeswoman said there was no financial help on offer.

She said the council "might" write a letter to Community Base urging it to reconsider.

No one from Community Base was available for comment today.