New electric scooter shop opens in Hove

Earlier this year, Sussex Police warned residents that the electric-powered scooters were illegal to ride on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements.

Despite this, the popularity of the two-wheeled machines has risen spectacularly.

Now, a shop has opened in George Street selling them for as little as £250.

The Scooter Shop is also offering accessories and repairs.

Owner Stewart Montgomery said: "It's something that started a while ago just importing these electric scooters when they first came out. No one was doing it, so I started doing it.

"It fizzled off so I went back to work full time then I had about 30 left. Then the pandemic hit so I thought 'lets get these scooters out the way it's costing me money'.

"Then, it kicked all off and I thought 'right let's do this properly' so I started a limited company and the rest is history.

"It was the pandemic - people didn't want to get the bus because of coronavirus. It's cheap, it's a lot cheaper than using the bus, and it's environmentally friendly.

"It's win-win, I can't see the downside to be honest.

"Once you have a go on one, you fall in love with it because it's faster than driving across town."

Under current UK law it's not illegal to buy an e-scooter or to use it on your own land, but it is illegal to use it anywhere else.

The government is trialling the use of rental e-scooters in some places, including Bournemouth and Bristol, to determine their safety on the roads. These are specifically licensed.

There are currently no e-scooter trials in Sussex.

Mr Montgomery says the data being collected in the trials shows the scooters are safe.

He said: "The data they've already collected goes to show that these are even safer than cycling, the number of collisions and damages and people getting hurt.

"You do read about it, people have had accidents, but that's like anything."

Sussex Police said they will "engage with and educate individuals on the legislation around the use of e-scooters" if they catch people riding them anywhere other than private land.

The force said punishments could vary depending on the offence committed by the rider.

Mr Montgomery said: "The reaction to the shop has been really positive, really positive.

"I've had quite a lot of people say they been looking to repair their scooter for months and they're glad I'm here.

"Other people just want to have a chat and understand what they are and what they do.

"I clear things up because they don't understand, they don't know what the law is, so I would say to the customers exactly what the law is.

"There's no need to lie about that because it's down to the user if they want to use it or not. It's everyone's own risk as it were.

"I've had maybe one person come in and give me a load of nonsense about 'they're illegal, why are you selling them'.

"But guess what, Halfords has been selling electric scooters for three years so why take it out on me? I'm not the only person selling electric scooters."