March for England ‘could have cost Brighton businesses millions’

The March for England through Brighton could have cost the city’s businesses millions according to a new survey.

The nationalist march and counter-protest took place on April 27, and the ensuing violence led many businesses to lose trade or shut up shop for the day entirely.

More than 100 businesses were asked how much the march had cost them by the Business Improvement District, which was commissioned to carry out the survey by the Tourism Advisory Board.

They were asked for their location, if the business closed and what the financial impact was – with the opportunity to leave comments too.

In total, the loss on the day to business  between £109,300 and £162,500. But if those numbers are extrapolated to the thousands of businesses in the city centre, the real loss could be in the millions.

Gavin Stewart, Manager of the Business Improvement District which was commissioned by the Tourism Advisory Board to carry out the research said, “The findings are yet to be discussed by the Tourism Advisory Board.

“However, it is hoped that local agencies will listen to the call from the business community to address the issues caused by the march and seek to find solutions to what has become a blot on the annual calendar of events for the city.

“With the policing costs also in the region of £500,000 alone, there is a need for some serious questions as to whether the city can realistically afford this event to continue.

“Far from celebrating the country, the event creates a cultural vacuum, whilst haemorrhaging money from the local economy for the privilege.”

There have been repeated calls for the March for England to be banned in Brighton.

However, Sussex Police has said it does not have the powers to do this.