ROWDY tourists are still renting out rooms and flats in the city, a councillor has warned.

Councillor Nick Childs says residents around St James’s Street and in Kemp Town in Brighton have reported parties being held.

That is despite repeated warnings by City Council leader Nancy Platts to stay away, and Government advice telling people to stay home.

Mr Childs fears the message is still not getting through to tourists or landlords who rent out the properties.

He said: “I have been contacted by people this week, and have made reports to the police, trading standards and companies like Airbnb.

“I know companies like Airbnb have offered accommodation to NHS workers and key workers who need to stay here.

“But in this case it did not seem like NHS staff. It was groups of rowdy kids.

The Argus:

“Residents feel these properties are being used for parties, by people coming down to Brighton to take a holiday.

“It is grossly irresponsible, endangering themselves and people here.”

Mr Childs spoke out as the Government announced a further 413 deaths from coronavirus in hospitals, taking the total number of people who have died from the disease to 20,732 in the UK.

Meanwhile the Environment Secretary said capacity for coronavirus tests has now reached 50,000 per day.

Mr Childs meanwhile said property owners should not be letting out flats or rooms to tourists during the coronavirus lockdown.

“The council is offering support to small business owners and sole traders here,” he said. “If they have problems with income, they should be speaking to the authority, seeing what grants and loans are available.

“To be letting out properties to tourists is irresponsible, and as we progress into summer I suspect this will become more and more of an issue.”

He said it highlights reasons why he feels the rent sector needs regulation, so that councils can set fair rules and take effective action against those who break them.

The Argus:

In total Mr Childs said he has passed on five incidents of suspected parties at rented properties to Airbnb. The company was contacted by The Argus.

“At the moment, our appeal is that you don’t need to come to the city at the moment,” he said. “Stay away.

“Our message to landlords is don’t let them out unless it is to a key worker or NHS staff.”

The police said 74 fixed penalty notices were issued in one week from April 17 to 24.

Motorists driving to Sussex were told their journeys were not essential and forced to head for home.

It included one driver travelling from Essex to Chichester to pick up a Bonsai tree at 2am.

Meanwhile officers said they stopped a driver from London heading to Beachy Head to take pictures of the stars.

They also stopped someone from Manchester driving with a child to visit a friend in Brighton, and a Londoner attempting to visit a friend in self-isolation who was showing coronavirus symptoms, the force said.

One driver even went outside a police station in the middle of the night to sound his car horn in a bid to “waste police time”.

Temporary Chief Inspector Simon Burroughs said: “Please take a moment to think about the impact your actions during the coronavirus crisis are having on public health.

“We want you to be able to look back on this challenging time and be proud of your efforts to protect the NHS and save lives.

“We’re asking those considering coming down from other counties to stargaze, go on road trips, visit friends or for any other unnecessary reason to stay at home.”

Yesterday The Argus reported how as many as 20 motorists were given fines at Stanmer Park.

The council has advised people not to drive to beauty spots for their exercise.

Meanwhile on the seafront, there were people enjoying picnics on the beach, as well as one couple eating fish and chips.

There were examples of sunbathers lounging on the beach and at Hove Lawns, while at Marrocco’s there were queues for ice cream.

Council leader Nancy Platts said: “Last weekend, at times, felt like a holiday feeling was creeping in, as some people gathered in groups on the beach for barbecues and picnics.

“The seafront should just be used for essential exercise by people living nearby, not for meeting friends, barbecues or sunbathing, and not for swimming in the sea.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund