New rules over A-boards and street furniture could put small traders out of business.

After lobbying from disabled groups, Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to ban any item which reduces a pavement to less than 1.3 metres (4.2ft) wide.

Traders will also be limited to one A-board, except in exceptional circumstances, under the licensing regulations which have now come into force.

The council admits that this could lead to 20% of all street furniture being removed from outside city shops and businesses.

This includes tables and chairs outside cafés and restaurants, leading many business owners to fear lost trade could force them to close.

According to the council, the main areas affected would be Sydney Street, Gloucester Road and Gardner Street in the North Laine, George Street in Kemp Town and East Street in The Lanes.

In these areas, most of the existing licences for A-boards and other furniture would be refused under the new rules.

Simon Jones, owner of English’s seafood restaurant, in East Street, said: “Most catering operations in the centre of the city rely considerably on their outside tables and chairs in the summer.”

Although he could just about stay afloat with no tables outside, Mr Jones said he would have to cut staff to survive.

He added: “It would make life very, very difficult for us. We would certainly have less employment.”

Jim McFruin, manager of the Victory Pub, in Duke Street, puts out seating on the Middle Street side of the pub.

He said: “It would be pretty devastating for us if we had to remove them. If it’s sunny or even partially sunny then the seats are full all day.

“The council has always told us there needs to be space on the pavement so we are very careful about making sure our customers don’t move seats or block pedestrians in other ways.”

Sharon Thomas is chairwoman of the North Laine Traders Association and owner of the Offbeat café in Sydney Street.

She said the new rules could have a “massive” impact on her business, adding: “Although I only have two tables, they contribute a lot to my turnover and can make all the difference on a slow day.

“I have already voluntarily removed a third table because traders here want people to be able to get by easily with a wheelchair or buggy.

But there has to be a balance.”

Keith Kemp, owner of Canteen, formerly Pokeno Pies, in Gardner Street, said: “It would clearly have a very strong impact as the ability to put out tables and chairs adds great value.

“Even when the weather isn’t great, they help mark out our shop as a café, which I think is important.

Things are difficult at the moment and this could be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Soozie Campbell, Brighton city centre manager, said: “A-boards serve a useful purpose from the point of view of both the trader and customer.

But I can appreciate that if you are blind or partially sighted they can be a challenge so if we can work out some kind of compromise which looks after everyone it would be welcomed.”

Ms Campbell warned against the council taking the measures “to the extreme”, however. She added: “One of the things that makes the city special is its alfresco dining. People love it. They eat outside all year round.”

Councillor Carol Theobald, chairwoman of the council’s licensing committee which voted through the new rules on Friday, believes they offer the best balance between the needs of traders and pedestrians.

She said: “We have tried to keep down the minimum distance. The RNIB wanted two metres, which would have virtually wiped out all the A-boards and seating in the city. We understand the concerns of pedestrians and we also have a duty to support our local businesses during difficult economic times."

Richard Holmes, of the RNIB, said the charity was “extremely disappointed.” He said: “RNIB would like to see A-boards removed from the streets of Brighton and Hove as is the case in a neighbouring authority. We believe the independence, safety and ability of blind and partially sighted people along with other disabled people are hindered greatly by the amount of clutter on the pavements.”

Coun Theobald said the issue was so controversial it had been referred to the council’s scrutiny committee, which would fully investigate and may ask for changes in the future.