1 week Ago
The owner of a LGBT sauna has criticised the sale of parking spaces behind his property - saying it could lead to his staff leaving their jobs. Paul Gray, owner of The Brighton Sauna on Grand Parade, shared his anger after he claimed to receive no contact regarding the sale. The nine parking spaces behind the properties on Grand Parade Mews were sold at auction in March, on instruction of Brighton and Hove City Council.
Mr Gray described the council's action as "frustrating". He said: “We’ve had no notification of the sale; no signage was put up. The first thing we know is an article online.
We haven’t heard anything. “There should be a clear and transparent process. Why would they not advertise it? If we had been given the opportunity, if they’d come to us, we would’ve gone to auction and offered a higher bid.
I’m sure there would’ve also been other interested parties.” The parking spaces behind the Brighton Sauna (Image: Paul Gray) However, the council said the site was advertised through a local auction house, Clive Emson. The spaces were sold at the auction for a guide price of £145,000.
Mr Gray believes this was too cheap and questioned the sale process, having seen other spaces in the city sell for a much higher price. He said: “They are selling the space for peanuts. Why would you not want to advertise to the maximum and get maximum profit.
They should want the best possible price for it. “I feel like they’ve been sold off behind our back.” Mr Gray told The Argus that since the sale, himself and other nearby businesses have received no contact from the council about what is happening to the spaces.
Paul at the parking spaces behind the sauna (Image: Paul Gray) Currently two of Mr Gray's staff park in the spaces, travelling in from outside of the city to work. He shared his fears that if the new owners of the spaces stop letting them use the spaces, this could impact the future of their jobs. Mr Gray said: “If we lose the use of the spaces, two of our staff would have to leave their jobs.
They won’t be able to afford to park in the city.” Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said: “The council occasionally takes the decision to sell some of its assets, generating additional income which can then be used to support important local services. “This was the case with the recent auction of a small number of parking spaces in Grand Parade Mews.
“These were sold through a local auction house, which advertised the spaces alongside the dozens of other lots included in the auction. “We value feedback from our businesses and would encourage them to get in touch if there are issues of concern. "We will also consider how we make sure we communicate and engage with residents and businesses when there are issues that may have an impact on them, and will continue to listen and act to ensure this happens.
”.
