Traders have reacted angrily to plans for a new supermarket in a shopping street struggling to keep its individuality.

The Argus has learnt that Sainsbury's is in advanced discussions to take over the disused JobCentre at the junction of St James's Street and Old Steine. It will be the company's fifth shop in Brighton and Hove.

Sainsbury's also plans to open a shop in the New England Quarter, near Brighton railway station.

Rival Tesco has six branches in Hove alone and recently opened another in Jubilee Street, in the North Laine, Brighton.

Mike Dalley, 69, owner of Cardome gift shop in St James's Street, said Sainsbury's would be able to undercut the independent traders that give the street its bohemian feel.

He said: "It would have a dramatic impact on the florists and the deli and to some degree it may impact on me because I sell cards and gifts and would end up in competition with them.

"Delivery of goods to that store is rather difficult because lorries would have to park on the street and take up valuable parking spaces in Old Steine.

"It's sad that we're going to have another supermarket opposite the Pavilion. People were talking about turning it into a boutique hotel which would have been useful for the area."

Steve Lowndes, owner of Planted, a florists in St James's Street, said: "We've already got a Somerfield, we don't need another supermarket.

"The worst thing is that because Sainsbury's doesn't need planning permission to buy the building we weren't told about it."

Mike Watts, who has run Watts Fish in St James's Street for 39 years, said: "At one point you could buy things in all of the shops along this road but now most of them sell food, cream cakes and coffee.

"It could affect my business because these days everybody wants convenience. They want to pay with a card, put it in their trolleys and off they go."

The Brighton and Hove Green Party is calling for better protection for independent traders.

Spokesman Ben Duncan said: "Last week I heard that The Hemp Shop in North Laine had closed. The owner said it was because rents had risen since chain stores moved into the Jubilee Street development."

Susie Turner, 51, of Chesham Place, Brighton, said she was looking forward to the store opening.

She said: "It will be competition for Somerfield but I like Sainsbury's and the one in London Road is too far away."

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's could not confirm the firm was taking over the building but said: "We are looking at opportunities for expansion in Brighton."

Wednesday, August 23, 2006