Negotiations held for historic hotel damaged by fire

Pre-application negotiations to refurbish a fire-damaged hotel in Brighton are under way with the local authority, its owners have said.

On 15 July 2023, a fire destroyed parts of the 200-year-old Royal Albion Hotel on Brighton seafront.

The site's owner, Britannia Hotels, said it was in discussion with Brighton & Hove City Council's planning and heritage officers about its proposals to refurbish the building.

Deputy council leader Jacob Taylor said: "Following our calls for Britannia to accelerate their plans for a rebuild, I'm glad to hear they are committed to bringing this forward."

He added: "This is a hugely prominent site on the central seafront, and we can't have it left as an eyesore for decades. We look forward to receiving their plans as soon as possible."

Britannia Hotels said the refurbishment would include replacing the parts of the building damaged in the fire.

"It is our firm intention to submit full plans as soon as this pre-application advice has been received," a spokesperson said.

The council previously rejected Britannia Hotel's retrospective application to demolish part of the hotel, citing there were "no plans" for a replacement and that it would cause "substantial harm" to the city's heritage.

The fire was caused by a discarded cigarette, according to the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

Part of the premises had to be demolished to allow firefighters could reach the blaze, which destroyed the five-storey building to the basement.

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