BUSINESSES in Brighton and Hove are up in arms over proposals which will see their expenditure list grow once again.
Brighton and Hove City Council plans to more than double the cost of trader parking permits from £350 to £750 – something businesses describe as ‘ridiculous’.
Traders have formed an action group to fight a proposed rise in parking charges in Brighton they have claimed will unfairly hit businesses.
The authority say the permits will remain competitive and the changes will help cut congestion and pollution.
Campaigners against the plans agreed to form a group called Traders Need Transport during a meeting on Tuesday.
They have also set up an online petition calling for the proposals to be scrapped.
Elliott Raggio, who owns home maintenance firm On Tap, said the permit increases would have a "negative knock-on effect" on the whole city.
He added: "It's been quite evident that we are battling the green proposals.
"We feel that they just don't want us to use our vans, that will have an effect on businesses, shoppers, and residents.
"It's not about my business, it's about local businesses, from the one-man band to the suppliers. This will have a negative knock-on effect on the city.
"We need local people - traders and customers - to get behind this and sign the petition."
Another angry trader said nothing but, “We just get kicked in the ‘b£ll£££s’ so much as a small business. It’s a constant fight for survival at the moment and this doesn’t help. Why now?”
A statement from Brighton and Hove City Council said: "Current rates in the city have effectively remained at an introductory rate for around 10 years.
"Traders permits will remain competitive with other towns and cities as many do not offer an annual rate for traders. Even with the proposed change, a trader permit in the city would be just over £2 a day.
"The proposals also seek to unlock the quotas. That would mean all traders wanting a permit can have one, unlike now where there are restrictions."
It said it also planned to introduce reduced off-street parking rates for business.
A public consultation is currently being held on the changes which have been agreed by the authority's environment, transport and sustainability cabinet.
The council is expected to consider the plans and any objections at a later date.
You can tweet your thoughts to us on the proposed changes @LVBrighton
Article courtesy of Love Brighton, the free weekly paper for Brighton and Hove.
