Sir Paul McCartney's hairdresser has closed his salon after a slump in business.

Mark Brigden, the owner of Uppercuts, in Western Road, Brighton, said he has been forced to close after 18 years because the once-popular shopping area is becoming deserted.

He opened his doors to customers for the last time on Saturday and asked them to come to his new salon in Burlington Parade, Portslade, from today.

He blames the drop in trade on Parking restrictions, high rates and rent and having to pay for music, rubbish and advertising licences.

Sir Paul, an occasional visitor, was rumoured to have had his hair dyed at the Brighton branch last year and Steve Coogan was also among its celebrity clientele.

Father-of-three Mr Brigden, 44, said: "Paul McCartney did come in every so often.

"We haven't seen him recently but we hope he will come to Portslade with Heather."

Mr Brigden says his lease has four years to run and he has had to make one member of staff redundant.

He said: "Western Road is dead. It is going downhill. I used to walk along here when I was a kid and it was full of life but that's all changed.

"Every business person I speak to around here says they are struggling."

A card shop has closed and luxury oyster restaurant Loch Fyne was put on the market because of a lack of trade.

Mr Brigden said: "Brighton and Hove City Council is trying to squeeze every last penny out of us.

"I have sleepless nights. I have a family to look after and I have to think of them. It will be a real shame to close but this seems the only option.

"I never intended to be in this position. I always wanted to have two salons, if not more, but during the last year and a half it has become impossible to maintain business.

"Parking has a complete stranglehold on the whole of the city and when you see parking attendants going around two by two it is very intimidating.

"Customers come in for a relaxing experience and you cannot always guarantee how long something is going to take. If they spend the whole two hours worrying, it defeats the point completely.

He said the wait for a business parking permit was more than a year and staff paid £12 a day to park.

June 27. 2005