Hundreds of Brighton businesses closed in first half of year

The Office for National Statistics reports that between January and March of this year, 490 businesses closed in Brighton, with more shutting their doors in recent months.

The businesses cited reasons such as the cost of living crisis and Covid for the tough decision.

Hisbe supermarket, York Place

Two branches of the sustainable supermarket closed in Brighton and Worthing as the company folded.

It said its permanent closure was due to the cost of living crisis and impact of Covid.

The supermarket was open for a decade before it shut for the final time in February.

The sustainable supermarket closed in February (Image: The Argus)

Café Rouge, Brighton Marina

The Brighton branch of this national chain permanently closed in February following a string of closures by food conglomerate Big Table Group.

The restaurant had been on the marina boardwalk for 15 years.

The boardwalk at Brighton Marina (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

H’s Café, Coombe Road

Greasy Spoon H’s Café had been open for 20 years before its closure in February.

Diners at the Coombe Road café were gutted at news of the closure as it was famed for one of the city’s best breakfasts.

The café was much loved for its full English and builder's tea (Image: Google)

Karen’s Diner, Brighton Marina

The Brighton branch of Karen’s Diner also closed in February after police found high drug readings and the violation of licensing and safety rules.

Particularly high levels of cocaine were found across the disabled toilet, including on the baby changer, bin, hand dryer and toilet roll holder.

Karen's Diner closed after traces of drugs were found on the premises (Image: The Argus)

Vurger Co, Brighton Place

The vegan burger restaurant in Brighton Place, The Lanes, was opened in August 2020 but was forced to close in February this year.

All three of the Vurger Co branches, with the two others in Shoreditch and Manchester, closed after being hit by the cost of living crisis.

Dockerills hardware, Church Street

One of the most recent closure announcements that shocked the city was from Dockerills.

The hardware store in Church Street is due to shut in September.

The business has been running since 1915 when Walter Dockerill opened a store in Edward Street.

The much loved and historic hardware store is due to close in two months (Image: The Argus)

Our Daily Edit, Ship Street

The luxury fashion store, which stocked clothing, accessories and gifts from brands including Ganni, Snow Peak and Museum of Peace closed in May after a decade of trading.

The business continues to operate online.

Our Daily Edit said goodbye to its customers in May (Image: The Argus)

Poundland, North Street

In February, the North Street branch of Poundland closed its doors after the store was unable to renew the lease.

Poundland shops remain in Western Road and London Road.

The Poundland store closed in February but leaves behind two others in the city centre (Image: Google Maps)

Kurt Geiger, North Street

The Brighton branch of the British designer brand shut in February.

Black vinyl appeared on the windows and shelves were emptied.

The designer store had black vinyl in its windows after it closed (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Sandro and Maje, East Street

Two neighbouring Parisian fashion shops closed in January leaving a large unit empty on East Street.

Sussex shoppers now have to go to central London for in-store shopping at Maje or Sandro.

Sandro and Maje both shut their doors leaving a large empty unit behind (Image: The Argus)

Crosstown doughnuts, Sydney Street

Crosstown, a doughnut shop in Sydney Street, had its last day of trading in April.

The bakery permanently closed after less than two years in business and its doughnuts were branded expensive by many - it charged upwards of £5 for a single sourdough pastry.

Crossdown doughnuts closed after less than two years (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Mikel’s, Western Road

The city centre coffee shop was in the site of a former bank and closed in February after more than three years.

Property signs appeared in the window of the ornate façade of the building, which had previously sat empty for over a year.

The coffee shop left its premises, which was formerly a bank (Image: The Argus)

Glamorous gay bar, Kemp Town High Street

The late-night gay bar shut its doors in March citing a “saturated club market” as the reason for its downfall.

The Kemp Town venue had big plans for club and drag nights, but was forced to close eight months later.

The gay bar shut due to a saturated market in Brighton (Image: Glamorous)