TRADERS have blasted their council after being threatened with fines of up to £2,500 if graffiti is not cleaned off their businesses.

Brighton and Hove City Council have told traders they must clean up graffiti or be fined – but traders say they won't pay for being victims of vandalism.

Boundary Road, Church Road and George Street has been declared a "targeted action zone" by the council to try and erase ever-growing graffiti.

Ken George, 67, owner of Tica, told Sussex Live: "I’ve done nothing except have my business vandalised.

"Traders have been hit by COVID, the cost of Living crisis and the financial chaos from Liz Truss. Last week we were down 25 per cent on takings, we can’t afford this hassle.

"If we get rid of it, the same person will come back and spray over it again. Then we’ll be hit with another penalty notice. We’ve all worked on this street for years and contributed money, time and effort to local community projects.

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"There’s enough challenges for local businesses in this city. If I can’t afford these costs then I’ll have to close down."

In one letter handed to small businesses in the area, the council have written: "Your conduct is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living in the locality and your conduct is unreasonable".

If a business owner wishes to have the council remove the graffiti from their shop or restaurant, they will have to pay the bill themselves.

While the council argue this will act as a deterent for vandals, others say it is pointless and cost inefficient as graffiti often re-appears as soon as it has been removed.

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Outraged owner of the Italian restaurant Colosseo, Billy Sejdini, feels he is being "punished" by the council.

"I told the council officer that in our two and a half years here I’ve removed the graffiti four times," he said.

"Each time someone replaced it immediately. After the last time I stopped doing it as it’s impossible.

"Why am I paying business rates and council tax if I’m being treated like this? I put in 90 hours a week at this restaurant to make enough money. We’re now paying three times more for energy than last year.

"It’s ridiculous. I’ve suffered and tried to build up a business. It’s not right to put pressure on the traders in this way.

"I feel very let down by the council. We always do everything we can to help the community."

A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We know that many residents feel passionate about graffiti and tagging, and we are committed to trying new ways of taking action on clearing it up.

"We’ve started a year-long programme of targeted action zones to tackle problem graffiti in busy areas of the city.

"This involves co-ordinated activity of graffiti removal from council property, alongside engagement with businesses about dealing with problem graffiti."

James Ross, owner of James Ross Jewellers, said his shop is a popular target for graffiti and he opposed the council's new policy.

The furious 47-year-old said: "It’s draconian and unnecessary.

"Why spend money on this initiative when it could be put to better use?

"I’ve been here for 22 years, and we used to have two police officers on the street. Now they’re gone, the place has deteriorated.

"It upsets me. We want to work with the local community, but we feel threatened by the council."

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A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council added: "Evidence suggests that increased, quick removal of graffiti from premises and street furniture diminishes the incentive for graffiti vandals.

"The scheme is working well so far, with enforcement only needed against a few businesses who failed to remove graffiti and positive feedback from residents on the improvements."

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