DIY-loving bouncer boards up Brighton businesses amid riot fears

Ethan, a bouncer who does not wish to share his surname, is helping businesses reinforce their doors and windows as Brighton city centre fears violence this evening.

Far-right riots have been taking place across the county, with a number rumoured to be taking place in Sussex this week, including in Brighton.

Ethan, 20, said: "I'm normally a bouncer but I like DIY, it makes me happy, so I just thought I would go out and help.

Read more: Live updates as Sussex prepares for potential riots

"I offered to put up boards for the pub, the Royal Standard, and all of a sudden, next thing I knew, everybody was coming out and asking if I could do their shop.

"And obviously I said yes.

A unit boarded up in Queens Road (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

"There is a lot of foreign-owned businesses that are in this area and specifically on this street. If they walk down this road and see menus that aren't in English they might feel threatened by that and cause problems.

READ MORE: 'Don't get drawn into counter-action' warning ahead of Sussex protests

"I'm doing this at a good price for them, not with VAT or anything like that. I'm doing as much as I can to help them out.

Ethan has been boarding up businesses in Queens Road (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

"These guys are the backbone of our society in Brighton. It's a very multicultural place. You can come, be different, and nobody bats an eyelid. This whole situation is threatening that situation.

Read more: Sussex Police increase resources ahead of planned protests

"So being able to make sure these guys and businesses are supported is really important to me and everybody else.

Ethan boarding up a noodle shop (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

"We have to make sure the damage that anybody causes is limited."

"The shop owners are taking care of me really nicely, giving me drinks and everything. I've just tried a Chinese iced tea and I've never had one before.

"You wouldn't catch anyone from the EDL having one of those."

Ethan's tools (Image: The Argus)

A number of businesses have also announced they will be shutting their doors early, with some already shut this afternoon. 

Brighton Station Health Centre in Queens Road will close at 5pm today rather than 8pm for the safety of its staff and patients.

NHS Sussex has also confirmed that the Station Plaza walk-in centre in Hastings will also be closed at 5pm today.

Click on the gallery at the top of the article to see all of our pictures.