🛠️ As a hardworking tradesperson in Brighton and Hove, the astronomical fee of £1,492 per year for a trader's parking permit has become an unsustainable financial burden. This charge is not only excessive — it’s an unjust barrier for local tradespeople trying to earn an honest living. On top of this, many of us have to buy an additional residential parking permit, costing upto £441 per annum, as the Traders permit is only valid up to 5pm

At such a high cost, many of us are forced to park outside customers' homes and risk receiving Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) simply for doing our jobs. This petition is vital because these fees pose a serious threat to those of us providing essential services in our community.

Tradespeople are the backbone of Brighton and Hove’s infrastructure. Whether fixing leaks, rewiring homes, or repairing heating systems, the work we do is critical to keeping the city running. And yet, the steep cost of the trader’s permit directly undermines our ability to work efficiently — and causes us a huge amount of unnecessary stress.

We’re calling on Brighton & Hove City Council to re-evaluate and reduce this fee to a fairer, more affordable rate.

 
💰 The Financial Reality
The average annual income for tradespeople in Brighton and Hove is around £30,000. A permit costing nearly 5% of our gross income is simply unsustainable — particularly for sole traders, small businesses, and those facing inconsistent workloads.

Other UK cities offer far more reasonable permit schemes. Here’s a comparison:

Brighton
Trader’s Permit (Parking & Trading)
£1,492

Bristol
Mobile Trader Permit
£274

Manchester
Business/Visitor Permit
£0 (Year 1) / £45/yr

Birmingham
Business Parking Permit
£255

This proves Brighton & Hove is dramatically out of step with other major UK cities.

 
💡 Why Change Matters
Reducing these fees wouldn’t just help tradespeople — it would benefit the entire community:

✅ More affordable access for local tradespeople
✅ Better service availability and faster response times
✅ Increased competition and fairer prices for residents
✅ A healthier, more resilient local economy

We urge Brighton & Hove City Council to reconsider the current policy and explore fairer alternatives — ones that support workers, not penalise them.

 
📝 Please Sign & Share
This is a call for balance, fairness, and respect for the people who keep this city running.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for local tradespeople and helping us ensure that we can continue to serve the community without being financially crippled by a permit system that’s out of touch with the financial reality of the working class.

Thank you for your support.