ONE of the last remaining joke shops in Sussex has closed its doors due to expensive rents and sluggish sales.

Frighton, located in an alleyway off Brighton Square, was so small it barely counted as a shop.

It was opened two-and-a-half years ago by Ben Simpson, better known as Dr Simpo, and boasted a bombardment of sound effects, shocks and boobytraps.

But customers saw the shop as more of a museum and often left empty-handed.

Dr Simpo said: “Our last day was Bank Holiday Monday and it was pretty heartwrenching.

“My friends were helping me clear out and they had tears in their eyes.

“We closed with a heavy heart but I was forced into a financial corner.

“I couldn’t afford any more stock and I was behind on my rent and rates.

“I gave it a good shot but it became increasingly difficult to find paying customers.

“The shop was a bit like a museum, most of the stuff in here is over 30 years old.

“It’s a shame because it was the last joke and magic shop left in Sussex and we’re the only shop dedicated to children in the entire area “There are less than ten joke shops left in theUK. Somany people are saying ‘you can’t close, where are we going to get our stink bombs?’ “But I’m sure the police will be happy because there won’t be so much pranking.”

Dr Simpo, who is also a lecturer in comic books, will take his business on the road in a campervan, touring the festival circuit.

Brighton Square is set to be redeveloped and while the shop would not have been affected, he said building work could have affected passing trade.

Brighton-based developer Centurion Group is building new retail units, office, residential and a hotel in Brighton Square.

As part of a co-ordinated regeneration plan West Register will create a new lane between Brighton Place and Meeting House Lane in the old, part-derelict Hanningtons Department Store service yard, with a new link to North Street.

Work is expected to begin later this year.