Traders in Brighton's trendy North Laine area say its character will be lost if many more cafes and restaurants are created.

Peter Stocker, secretary of the North Laine Traders' Association, said a huge number of restaurants and takeaways were being allowed.

He added: "Sometimes planners are granting a change of use such as in North Road where every other shop opposite the Jubilee site seems to be changing into a restaurant or takeaway.

"At other times new traders are simply moving into a shop and choosing not to apply to change the use before opening a food outlet.

"Many of our members are worried that if this trend continues, we may be in danger of not having enough different and unusual retailers so the mix that makes North Laine unique could eventually be lost.

"North Laine has always been a continually evolving mix of residents, shops, cafes, pubs and back-street workshops.

"It is not a theme park that can be stopped in time but those of us who love North Laine love the variety in our area.

"We believe we need to look carefully at the amount of new restaurant use in relation to existing businesses."

A similar plea has been made by the North Laine Community Association, which was particularly concerned about the foot of North Road.

Councillor Bob Carden, who chairs the city planning committee, said he would go to look at the area for himself.

He said: "I don't want to see the area overrun with cafes, bars and restaurants but sometimes people's perceptions are not reality.

"We have to consider each application on its merits and make sure we do not have too many cafes but generally we do not feel the number is over the top."

North Laine was made a conservation area in 1976.

Monday November 03, 2003