North Laine traders are celebrating after Brighton and Hove City Council agreed to pedestrianise their streets on Sundays.

Councillor Sue Paskins joined shop owners this weekend for a "closing ceremony" to mark the changes in Gardner Street and Sydney Street.

Pedestrian hours have also been extended on Saturdays to last from 10am to 7pm after traders in the area campaigned for less traffic.

The change will also come into effect on Sundays and bank holidays between 11am and 5pm.

Traders and councillors are hoping it will lead to more business on the bustling streets as they adapt to the changing needs of shoppers.

Coun Paskins, of St Peter's and North Laines ward, said: "I think it will be good for the Laines. It's nice to be able to dawdle along the streets, going into shops and sauntering around without having to worry about crossing the road because of traffic.

"I'm sure it will help trade, too. Research has shown that in pedestrianised areas the footfall doubles and people spend a longer time in the shops."

Members of the North Laine Traders Association carried out their own survey to help build up momentum for the traffic changes.

They said it took more than a year for the council to agree to them and for signs warning drivers to steer clear to go up.

Peter Stocker, secretary of the traders' association, who has run North Laine Ceramics in Trafalgar Street for 27 years, said: "It should be great for business. Saturday is becoming more of a leisure day, especially in the summer, and not necessarily a shopping day.

"I quite often find my busiest hours are from 5pm to 6pm on a Saturday, so these changes should be good for shops that stay open later.

"Sunday is becoming really popular for shoppers so closing the roads should definitely help. It can be a nightmare with all the traffic coming through.

"I think the council realised they've got to support us. It's expensive to have a shop in the North Laine and I think councillors know we need the best trading environment which isn't people dodging in and out of traffic."

Coun Paskins, of the Green Party, added: "It will also be good for Brighton. I think the North Laine is part of why the city is so successful because we have so many individual shops here selling so many different things.

"That's what people come to Brighton for."

The council said it would review the scheme, checking aspects of safety and licensing, possibly within six months.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006