On Monday 12th March over 30 traders met at the Regent Street Bar of Komedia for their 2007 AGM. The meeting was opened by Sharon Thomas who welcomed those present and handed over to Secretary Peter Stocker who gave a report on last years events and activities.

One of the highlights of the year had been the successful launch of the new website, www.northlaine.co.uk in October at the Jubilee library. The website is already receiving 4,500+ hits a week and growing rapidly. Brian Pedley our North Laine web designer was congratulated and thanked for all his hard work.

Peter also thanked our many partners who work with North Laine throughout the year, the Community Association, Brighton and Hove city council, M.P. David Lepper , NL Councillor Sue Paskins and the officers and street reps of the association.

The election of officers returned Sharon Thomas as chair, Peter Stocker as secretary and David Hall as Treasurer. Street reps, (see further down) were also elected to represent the trading area.

The NLTA also voted to formally adopt a new constitution and we discussed the weekend pedestrianisation of Gardner Street and Sydney Street. Some members present thought we should try 7 day a week closures if traders were in favour. The committee will work with the council to see if this is feasible.

Andrew Fisher, chair of the B.I.D. board updated us on the B.I.D., talked about new projects and answered questions on the Christmas lights and security officers from NLTA members.

Eddie Start showed a number of “sustainable bag” options to those present as many members were unhappy at still providing plastic bags to customers. The meeting voted in favour of producing an initial run of hessian or cotton bags for members to buy.

The NLTA secretary Peter Stocker felt that as in most other years the biggest threat to North Laine was the escalating rents and he asked members to share rent information to help update us.

The minutes of the A.G.M. are available in full on the website. Click here

Southern Water has sponsored this edition of the NLTA Newsletter

As everyone must be aware Southern Water are working their way through the three year water main replacement scheme in the city. North Laine has already had Church St, New Road, Gloucester Road, Gardner St. and Trafalgar St. worked on. Most traders have been pleasantly surprised at how speedily and fast most of the work has been completed.

The NLTA would like to thank Bob Lennard of Southern Water and his “team” for their commitment to making this very necessary work go as smoothly as possible.

North Street works are still continuing well and as many traders know a new gas main is being laid in the same trench to keep disruption to a minimum. The work in North Street is expected to last until November.

Sydney Street, which was due to have been started by now, has been delayed and re programmed for September. This is due to the unforeseen problems that occurred in Trafalgar Street and will allow enough time for basement surveys to be carried out.

Pelham Square works will start the second week of April, St Georges Mews is scheduled for the 14th of May and Cheltenham Place work should begin on the 28th of May. Kensington Gardens will not be in this years work programme.

There will have to be an additional closure of Trafalgar Street from the 18th to the 20th of April at Blackman Street for mains connection. (Diversions will be in place for this event!). For details of all current works and schedules you can call the Southern Water “hot” line on 01273 562216.

NORTH LAINE TRADERS BIN THE BAG
At the NLTA AGM in March members endorsed the plan to pursue the aim of producing a North Laine environmentally friendly shopping bag. All retailers are familiar with the problems associated with the sourcing, storing and paying for plastic bags. But times are changing and the use of plastic bags is increasingly being questioned as viable and sustainable.
A few facts might help to put the case

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