Special report: Cafe crisis in North Laine

Chatting with friends in one of its 30-plus coffee shops is a way of life for many and provides a welcome break for shoppers.

But some traders fear that there will soon be too many cafes and not enough shops, even though the local plan restricts the number that can open to keep the North Laine varied and vibrant.

Some businesses have reopened as cafes even after being refused planning permission.

This is bad news for traders who pay high rents and rates for the privilege of operating in one of the busiest parts of the city.

Emma Harper, manager of Silverados in Kensington Gardens, said: "It's getting ridiculous. There are so many cafes all so close together and more keep opening.

"The whole point of this area is that it is made up of individual shops - jewellers and fleamarket type places - not just a bunch of cafes."

Paul Reading, of Plate Expectations in Gardner Street, said the North Laine had survived for so long because of the tremendous amount of effort by some of the traders.

In the meantime, small businesses around the country were being pushed out by factors such as national planning policy, car parking problems and price competition.

He said: "Although it has seemed busy this year because of the weather, it has not been a particularly good year for trade.

"We are worried because this area attracts people from a wide catchment because of what it has to offer but if that choice shrinks, some of those people will go elsewhere.

"The North Laine is very important as a thoroughfare so although it may look busy, many people are not actually spending money.

"A lot of people come here to hang around because of the atmosphere and have a coffee rather than do any shopping."

Peter Stocker, chairman of the North Laine Traders Association, said: "We're not saying there should not be any coffee shops but the local plan does lay out guidelines about how many there can be in a row.

"We don't want to sound like we are moaning about the cafes. Variety is what makes the North Laine what it is but no one wants too much of one thing in the same place.

"I don't think the planning department is doing anything wrong but all laws are open to improvement."

He is meeting council leaders this week to discuss the problem.

Coffee drinker Alex Birdman, 31, said: "Drinking fancy coffee is a luxury isn't it? People like to feel as though they are pampering themselves after a hard day's retail therapy.

"I think we have caught the coffee craze from the States and now it has become part of the whole shopping experience."

Andie Melvin-Harris, from Infinity Cafe - now surrounded by food outlets - said: "When you work really hard it's very upsetting to hear somewhere may have opened without permission.

"We are a co-operative so everyone who works here is affected by the profits and we have noticed a difference since other places have opened.

"It's just not a good way for them to start off in a neighbourhood. There is a strong community here.

"We buy our crockery from Plate Expectations down the road, we borrow the vacuum cleaner from a shop across the way and we give them our leftover arancinis (rice balls)."

Andie said she remembered ten years ago there was one place everyone went to for breakfast, another for drinks and one for coffee.

She said: "Now so many of the old individual shops have become cafes. It's a real shame."

Infinity Cafe co-ordinator Adi Nortje added: "We don't want to say other places shouldn't open but it's important to maintain diversity because that is what has always been unique about Brighton.

"It used to be such a cachet for artists and musicians here but now there are so many cafes and clothes shops."

Rebecca Bosworth, manager of Ekos coffee shop in Kensington Gardens, said: "There is only so much coffee people can drink. I have noticed a loss in profits this year as other places open up.

"If there is one coffee shop that everyone goes to and one opens next door, people are bound to want to know what that one is like so you would naturally lose a bit of business.

"You just have to think of another gimmick to get them to come back to yours. But there are so many in a small area, it's getting ridiculous.

"It would be better if there were more individual clothes shops and antiques shops like there used to be because tourists would come to see them.

"I can't see the area just becoming a place to drink coffee because you can get a cup of coffee anywhere."

Sabrina, from Crumbs in Bond Street, said: "I don't think our business has been suffering but then there are not so many coffee shops on this street as on the others.

"When it is busy, everyone is all right but at the moment it is quiet because people are saving for Christmas.

"Some of these places only sell coffee but we do homemade food so we have more to offer.

"Maybe a coffee shop is easier to run because everywhere you see clothes shops closing down and coffee shops opening up."

Councillor Bob Carden, head of the Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee, said: "We're very careful with what we allow because it has to fit in with the local plan.

"I am happy to meet with anyone who wants to talk about problems in their area because I don't want any antagonism.

"The people in the planning department are genuine and want what's best for the city.

"The local plan is the bible and if anyone has breached it, such as opening a premises without planning permission, then enforcement action should be taken."

A council spokesman said: "In some shopping areas, including the North Laine, there cannot be more than ten consecutive metres of non-retail use (ie cafes)."

For this reason Cafe Laziz was refused planning permission and again on appeal.

The spokesman said: "Cafe Laziz has been refused planning permission. However, if it reapplies we would look at its application on its merits."

No one from the cafe would comment when contacted by The Argus.