A traders group has launched a campaign to try to prevent more shops in Brighton and Hove's fashionable shopping quarter from closing.

Shopkeepers in North Laine blame soaring rents, business rate costs and poor sales for the closures.

Already Electric Rock boutique in Gardner Street, Rokit clothing store in Kensington Gardens, Music Meltdown in Sydney Street, retro fashion store Revival in Trafalgar Street and Garden boutique in Gloucester Street have announced they are shutting. Fruity clothing store in Gardner Street is looking for a buyer.

Now the North Laine Traders Association is trying to help new firms get off the ground and prevent existing shops going out of business by giving them invaluable advice.

They are urging shopkeepers to put stickers in their windows offering people the chance to join their organisation.

So far about 40 of the 107 members of the group are displaying the signs.

Peter Stocker, secretary of the association, hopes the scheme will encourage more shopkeepers to join so they can keep tabs on how much everyone is paying.

He said: "The stickers offer people who are thinking about opening businesses and renting property, information as to where they can get advice and help.

"In the past we've had people who have opened shops and paid double the rent they should have and been told by agents that is the kind of rent they should be paying."

The North Laine has the reputation of being the exclusive shopping area in Brighton where the majority of shopkeepers are independent traders trying to make a living rather than big chains which could afford to pay high rents.

The popularity of the area has led to traders from trendy spots such as London's Camden heading to Brighton to open shops in the hope of finding cheaper rents.

These traders find Brighton cheaper than London and are willing to pay increased rents in the city.

Mr Stocker, who has run The Workshop Pottery in Trafalgar Street, North Laine, for the past 25 years, said the increased rents for new tenants have a knock-on effect for long-term traders.

He added: "If the owner finds out their neighbour is paying double, it is inevitable they will want to increase rents in some cases.

"These stickers give people coming into the area information on how to contact us so we can keep them informed about what's going on."

The sticker scheme was introduced about five years ago and has been revived to try to boost membership of the association.

Keith Taylor, Brighton and Hove city councillor for St Peter's and North Laine is supporting the scheme.

He said: "More power to them if it works. We want to protect the diversity of the North Laine and we don't want to see another clone town.

"I know they have been putting the stickers out for a number of years. I think they have to find a balance between a fair rent and making a fair return on investment."

The North Laine Traders Association is dedicated to maintaining the character of the area, which is one of the jewels in Brighton and Hove.

To join the association, call 01273 601641 or log on to www.northlainetraders.org.uk .

Thursday, April 20, 2006