Brighton Royal Albion Hotel Demolition and Road Closure Updates

Image credits: Eddie Mitchell

The Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton, a historic Regency-style building, has been undergoing demolition work due to fire damage, resulting in the closure of a section of the A259 road. The hotel, which has been a prominent feature of Brighton's seafront for over 200 years, was partially demolished in July 2023 after a fire broke out, causing nearly £2 million in damage. The council has been working to ensure public safety, with the road closure in place until further notice. The Brighton Half Marathon, scheduled to take place on Sunday, will go ahead as planned, with the southern part of the road set to reopen on Monday.

Local businesses have been affected by the road closure, with some owners expressing concerns about the impact on their trade. The closure of the road has meant that delivery drivers have struggled to access some shops, resulting in cancelled orders and a significant impact on business. Residents have also been affected, with some expressing frustration at the lack of progress in resolving the situation. The council has been working with Britannia Hotels, the owner of the Royal Albion, to get the rest of the road reopened as soon as possible. The cost of the partial demolition following the fire was £1.7 million, which the council has yet to receive from Britannia Hotels.

The Royal Albion Hotel has a rich history, having been built on the site of a house belonging to Richard Russell, a doctor who recommended drinking and bathing in seawater as a cure for sickness. The hotel was once a fashionable venue for the rich and famous, hosting notable guests such as Oscar Wilde and William Gladstone. However, in recent years, the hotel's reputation has faltered, and it was bought by Britannia Hotels in 1997. The hotel's current state has been described as a "war zone" by some locals, with many calling for it to be demolished and rebuilt. The council has stressed the need for Britannia Hotels to take responsibility for making the structure safe and covering the costs of the demolition and repair work.

A timeline of events surrounding the Royal Albion Hotel demolition and road closure includes: * July 2023: A fire breaks out at the Royal Albion Hotel, causing significant damage and resulting in the partial demolition of the building. * February 2025: A section of the A259 road is closed due to concerns about the stability of the hotel and its scaffolding. * March 2025: Demolition work begins on the hotel, with the council working to ensure public safety and resolve the situation as soon as possible. * Sunday: The Brighton Half Marathon is scheduled to take place, with the southern part of the road set to reopen on Monday. Some of the key stakeholders involved in the situation include: * Britannia Hotels: The owner of the Royal Albion Hotel, responsible for covering the costs of the demolition and repair work. * Brighton and Hove City Council: Working to ensure public safety and resolve the situation as soon as possible. * Local businesses and residents: Affected by the road closure and demolition work, with some expressing concerns about the impact on their trade and daily lives. * Historic England and the Health & Safety Executive: Involved in ensuring that the demolition and repair work is carried out safely and with consideration for the hotel's historic significance.

The situation at the Royal Albion Hotel is complex, with many factors at play. The council is working to balance the need to ensure public safety with the need to minimize disruption to local businesses and residents. Britannia Hotels must take responsibility for making the structure safe and covering the costs of the demolition and repair work. The demolition work is expected to continue, with the council providing updates on the situation as more information becomes available. The safety of the public is the top priority, and the council is working to ensure that the road is reopened as soon as possible.