There were worried mumblings on social media as a picture of a stripped-out Buddies in King's Road, Brighton, began to circulate.

But owner Andy Cheesman has now put rumours to rest by explaining exactly what is going on at the much-loved 24-hour venue.

Buddies has worn many hats over more than 20 years in business. It has offered a place for hungry punters and late-night revellers alike, as well as being a regular venue for charity events among other functions.

The exterior of Buddies in Brighton with refurbishment works under way

Its 24-hour offerings meant it became synonymous with a hearty breakfast after a hard night of clubbing.

But now the cafe and bar, as well as its neighbouring sister businesses Buddies Plaice and Bad Boys Chicken, are being transformed into a restaurant.

• READ MORE: Sadness as refurbishment of Buddies spells the end for early hours breakfasts

Andy said: "Life is changing. At the moment there's no nightlife and it's more than likely going to be hit and miss over the next 12 months.

"So we thought this is the time to do a big refurbishment, all the way through the three sites."

Subject to planning permission, he hopes to knock through the walls between the three venues to create a dining space for between 200 and 250 people.

The interior of Buddies has been stripped out, with big plans to refill the site

A further application will be made to allow a permanent glass structure along the front of the three buildings, with seating for a further 80 people.

Guests would be offered a menu which champions local produce, sourcing the majority of its ingredients within 20 miles of Brighton.

"There will be no microwaves, no freezers, it will all be fresh," Andy said.

Regulars will barely recognise the spot where they could enjoy a sit down meal at every hour of the day

"Straight from the farm to the table, or the sea to the table.What is on offer each day is what we will be serving, everything will be cook-to-order."

The interior has now been completely stripped out, leaving bare walls and floors. On the western wall of Buddies, which Andy hopes to knock through, two previously undiscovered doorways have been unearthed.

Now the site has been reduced to its bones, it's time to start building back up again.

Regulars will barely recognise the spot where they could enjoy a sit down meal at every hour of the day

Andy said there were plans for cocktail and prosecco bars within the old Buddies building, with further changes in the labyrinth-like basement.

Stainless steel furnishings are being added to one extremity of the underground area, which will soon serve as a butchers.

"People can come down and select their meat, choose exactly how they want it to be cut then pay by the ounce," Andy said.

Stainless steel surfaces are being installed in this area of the basement to make a butchers

A bakery will be set up in another area of the basement, with further sections dedicated to fruit and vegetable storage and preparation.

Part of the site was previously used to peel potatoes for chips, with Buddies staff working their way through between eight and ten tonnes of spuds during busy weeks.

The site will still peel its own potatoes, Andy said, though he doesn't expect they will go through quite as many as before.

This is where all spuds were peeled ahead of being made into chips for Buddies' customers

The new fruit and vegetable storage and preparation areas will allow the restaurant to offer plenty of plant-based options.

"We want there to be something for everyone," Shaun Eshghi said. The 26-year-old, who has been involved in licensed establishments since the age of 12 through his family, will be the operations manager when the new venture opens.

"I don't want to target any demographic or group," he said. "As Buddies was before, we want everyone to be welcome. We don't want to be exclusive for no reason."

Regulars will barely recognise the spot where they could enjoy a sit down meal at every hour of the day

He and Andy said the site aimed to become one of the first in the UK to be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Andy said: "We want to install solar panels on the roof and Tesla power boxes in the basement so we could run exclusively on green energy.

"We are also looking at collecting the rainwater from the roof to be able to use that in the toilets."

Andy has further plans for the site on the horizon, saying all would be revealed in due course.

"We have got to do this in stages," he said.

Views from the roof of Buddies, where Andy Cheesman hopes to install solar panels

Stage one is to get the new restaurant open, with Andy aiming to start serving customers almost as soon as lockdown restrictions allow it - either in late April or early May. It is likely to open under a new name, with Buddies being such an integral part of Brighton's vibrant nightlife scene.

"The ethos will be the same but the site will be lifted from a cafe and bar into a restaurant," Andy said.

"We are speaking to some amazing chefs at the moment. My son Robert who is a chef and manager at the site and has been doing it since he was young, is helping develop everything as well.

The hidden doorways uncovered during the refurbishment

"The experience we are putting together will be really great."

As an indicator of Buddies' legendary reputation in Brighton, the new restaurant already has its first booking, despite its existence not having been formally announced as yet.

Brighton Business Club plans to dine there in June.

Regulars will barely recognise the spot where they could enjoy a sit down meal at every hour of the day

"We have had a really good outpouring of support from councillors and politicians," Andy said.

"We want to showcase the best of Brighton and people are really looking forward to what we are doing next.

"They are, however, saddened by the fact that Buddies is going."