THE Argus’s home for a quarter of a century is set to be levelled to make way for a car showroom and a builders’ merchants.

Plans by the Harwood Group and Hanbury Properties to redevelop Argus House in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, have been given the backing of council officers.

The site, which was also used as a set for acclaimed director Ben Wheatley’s latest film Free Fire, became this newspaper’s home in 1992 after moving from city centre offices in North Road.

The Argus moved to its new home in Manchester Street, close to Brighton Palace Pier, in November.

Consent to demolish the Crowhurst Road offices, spread between two buildings and covering more than 17,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, was granted in May.

In its place, a three-storey Jaguar and Land Rover car dealership, relocating from Lewes creating 16 new jobs, is proposed, while buildings at the rear will be converted into a builders’ merchants.

There is currently no occupant lined-up for the builders’ merchants site but it is anticipated it could create up to 60 jobs.

The buildings are considered to be in such poor condition they no longer meet modern business requirements. It has had no interest from new tenants to take it on its current state despite being on the market for seven years. A decision will be made on Wednesday.