The lorry was delivering in Mark Lane last Thursday and clipped a sign on the wall of The Loft Lounge, damaging it.

Owner Mike Watkin said he is furious because he had warned the highways authorities it was an accident waiting to happen.

His complaint centres around the state of the road and the camber, which he says means vehicles parking in the delivery bay could potentially collide with the building and exterior sign.

"The bay has been a continual hindrance," said Mr Watkin, "and I have previously expressed my concerns over the safety aspect of having vehicles parking immediately outside my Mark Lane fire exit.
"The kerb in Mark Lane is a mere 70cm wide.

"Vehicles must park snug to the kerb otherwise other vehicles cannot pass on the remaining road space and the camber on the road is a problem.

"It makes any vehicle an obstacle to any pedestrians, thus making the pavement dangerous, useless and impassable, which has several consequences including health and safety not to mention people cannot actually use my entrance.

"Vehicles parking immediately by my building are subject to damaging the building as the top of any taller vehicle leans to such an extent that it touches my building. This is especially the case with our protruding neon sign, which has full planning permission granted in 2006. If they do not park snug to the kerb, it blocks the remaining road. Catch 22.

"In addition vehicles parking immediately outside my building are a direct obstruction to a fire exit, which could have severe consequences."

A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council said, "Before parking was properly controlled, businesses experienced great difficulty with deliveries, and told us they wanted more loading bays.

"The new scheme provides these and aims to ensure they're kept free.
"This has made loading much easier and most businesses have welcomed it.

"Mark Lane is narrow but businesses there still need to receive deliveries.

"Provided lorry drivers take normal care when manoeuvring into and out of the loading bay there should be no problem."