Is Brighton Losing Its Soul? The Independent Shops Holding the Line
- TBA
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Walking through Brighton’s North Laine, the colourful shopfronts displaying handmade jewellery, the aroma of freshly baked goods drifting from corner cafés, and the distinctive character of vintage clothing shops were once the most compelling symbols of what was known as ‘the UK’s favourite independent shopping destination for Generation Z’.
These independent shops not only underpin the city’s international reputation, but also support 140,000 local jobs, accounting for one third of total employment. Today, however, shopkeepers’ sighs are becoming more frequent. The worry that ‘in ten years’ time, only large chain stores will be left’ is increasingly casting a shadow over the city.
Independent shops as Brighton’s spiritual core
Brighton’s uniqueness lies in its ‘never ordinary’ independent DNA.
In The Lanes, North Laine and along the seafront, chain stores are few and far between. Instead, you will find beauty boutiques offering bespoke perfumes, galleries showcasing niche designers, and homeware shops preserving traditional craftsmanship. These businesses helped Brighton earn its title as ‘the UK’s best city for start-ups’ and are a major draw for visitors — after all, few people want to browse identical high streets in every city.
The data underlines their value. Brighton’s central Business Improvement District has a vacancy rate of just 4%, far below the national average, while independent retail contributes a significant share of the local economy.
More importantly, 29% of UK consumers say that a greater presence of independent shops would encourage them to visit the high street more often, and 72% call on the government to increase support for small businesses. In Brighton, independent shops have never been just places to trade; they are the glue of the community, carriers of culture, and experiences found ‘only in Brighton’.
Four major burdens crushing independent shops
Behind the vibrant façade, Brighton’s independent traders are facing an unprecedented survival crisis:
1. Rising costs as a ‘fatal burden’:
Brexit has added customs charges and delays to imports, while post-pandemic increases in utilities and labour costs continue to bite. Business rates adjustments have compounded the pressure — some cafés have seen annual bills jump from £1,200 to £12,000. Even with relief schemes, rising National Insurance contributions and minimum wage increases create ongoing strain.
2. Out-of-control security as a ‘daily shock’:
Shop theft in Brighton stands at 193% of the national average, rising a further 16% over the past year, with 12,700 incidents recorded annually. Smashed windows and stolen goods have become routine. With limited police response, traders rely on WhatsApp groups to warn one another and protect themselves collectively.
3. Spatial squeeze as a ‘fight for survival’:
Private landlords and agents often favour chain retailers able to pay higher rents, leaving small independents struggling to secure suitable premises, let alone expand. At the same time, online shopping and new chain arrivals further dilute already fragile footfall.
4. A break in succession as a ‘future risk’:
High costs and low returns deter the next generation of entrepreneurs. Existing owners are ageing, yet successors are hard to find, placing years of accumulated expertise at risk of being lost.
Some advice from TB Accountants
Although tax policies for small and medium-sized enterprises are not designed specifically for businesses on the brink of insolvency, they can however reduce tax liabilities during trading and therefore lower accumulated tax debts, indirectly easing pressure at the point of failure.
Relevant measures include:
1. Corporation tax tiered rates:
From 1 April 2023, SMEs with annual profits of £50,000 or less - a category covering most independent shops - benefit from a reduced rate of 19%. Profits between £50,000 and £250,000 are subject to a marginal rate between 19% and 25%, significantly below the standard 25% rate for large companies, directly reducing tax costs during operations.
2. R&D tax relief:
If an independent shop has undertaken trade-related Research and Development (R&D) activities, such as innovative merchandising techniques or supply chain optimisation, and meets the SME criteria (fewer than 500 employees and turnover below €100 million or a balance sheet total below €86 million), it may be eligible to claim R&D tax relief. Large companies may also qualify.
3. Business rates relief:
Properties with a rateable value below £12,000 may qualify for full exemption from business rates, while those between £12,001 and £15,000 benefit from tapered relief. Temporary relief may also be available where premises are vacant, partially occupied, under refurbishment, or affected by serious local disruption such as flooding or construction works.
Every choice shapes the city
The fate of independent shops has never been solely a matter for traders.
Every consumer visit, every policy decision, and every act of community support influences the future of the city. As shown by the transformation of Dewsbury Arcade, when communities take ownership of historic premises and introduce independent traders through structured governance, declining areas can be revived.
For individuals, supporting independent shops need not be a grand gesture.
Visit the artisan bakery at the weekend; choose a local designer’s work when buying gifts; share your experience online after a purchase. These small actions can combine into a powerful force that helps independents endure. After all, when a city loses its independent shops, it loses not just a unique shopping experience, but an irreplaceable urban soul.
Brighton’s independent shops are still struggling, but they are also holding their ground. Their story mirrors that of high streets across the country. To a large extent, protecting independent shops means protecting the diversity and vitality of our cities.
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