Large multinational chains and supermarkets could kill off independent shops in Brighton and Hove and make the city's High Streets bland and characterless, according to a survey.

The campaign group My Shop is Your Shop, quizzed hundreds of shoppers in the city and found an overwhelming majority were concerned about the increase in large chains, particularly supermarkets.

More than 70 per cent of consumers in Brighton resented the way High Streets nationally were beginning to look the same and almost 85 per cent believed the identity of the city was under threat.

About 85 per cent said the Government did not care about protecting independent shops and almost 79 per cent felt local government turned a blind eye when granting planning permission for national chains.

Omar Anabtawi, who manages Nice One news-agents in Dyke Road, Seven Dials, said: "I am angry with the way the Government isn't doing anything to stop big supermarkets. They don't seem to care about small businesses. A supermarket could open up a few doors from us. There would be nothing to stop it and it could take trade away."

But he believed there would always be a market for independent stores.

He said: "Older people like coming here because they don't feel they are being rushed. People like the friendliness and the gossip. Ultimately we wouldn't be here if people didn't want us."

Alan Twigg, from the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, which runs the My Shop is Your Shop campaign group and represents hundreds of independent retailers in Brighton and Hove, said: "If local authorities still want Brighton and Hove to be recognised for the diversity, spirit and culture everyone knows it for today, they will have to act now, otherwise they will preside over a city which could be anywhere in the south of England."

He said new "express" and "local" supermarket formats threatened the identity of villages as well as major High Streets.

He said: "There has been a huge growth in large multinational retail chains coming from out-of-town sites and back into the High Streets. It is particularly pertinent with supermarket chains and their impact on small grocery stores.

"I urge people to support local shops. I'm not saying don't ever go to a supermarket as the two can coexist but when you support a local shop you are supporting someone who lives in the community and has a stake and interest wider than the profit margin."

The survey showed three- quarters of people believed independent stores added value to the community and almost 82 per cent said they met the needs of consumers. Nine out of ten said they did not get a personal service in supermarkets and almost 97 per cent said quality service was their first priority.

Peter Stocker, secretary of the North Laine Traders' Association, said: "There is no way of saving independent shops other than using them. A lot of small shops are looking to the internet but if people don't physically go through the shop door they have no future."

Tony Mernagh, the executive director of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: "Brighton and Hove is probably better placed than most to overcome a problem of blandness because we have the largest independent sector on the south coast."

Large chains and supermarkets were not the only problem for small businesses. He said the rental system for shops, business rates, legislation and regulations were a burden to the independent sector.

He said: "The independent retail sector is incredibly fragile and suffering from a downturn in consumer confidence."

Clifford Conway, president of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, said: "I'm not aware of any specific problem in Brighton and Hove but if independent shops were forced to close for whatever reason, we would be losing a very attractive feature."

June 1, 2005