Royal Albion Hotel fire: Brighton councillor slams Britannia

The shell of the Royal Albion on Brighton seafront has been empty and rotting since the inferno on July 15, 2023. 

Brighton and Hove City Council organised demolition to start on the fire-damaged part of the building soon after that date - but The Argus can reveal that hotel owner Britannia is still yet to pay anything towards it.

Britannia has never responded to any of The Argus’s requests for answers about the future of the Grade II listed building.

Now the council’s finance lead has called on the company to speed up the repayment process and commit to rebuilding the site in a way which respects its rich Regency heritage.

Smoke billowing from the hotel fire (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

According to the council, the cost of the demolition has so far risen to more than £1.7 million – up from £1.5 million six months ago. To date, Britannia's contribution is zero.

Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy council leader and lead member for finance, said: “It’s disappointing that they haven’t been more public in how awful it is and how it has affected residents.

“I think it is sad and shocking to see it when you pass it – currently it is a blight on the seafront and the city centre.

“It’s such a central location and it has such an impact on people passing by.

“I haven’t seen them really show that they understand the importance of the history of the hotel.

“It’s disappointing to see nothing moving and I’m not sure Britannia get how important it is to residents.”

The Argus understands that claims for the money have been sent to Britannia’s insurers but no compensation has been received.

Emergency services at the hotel fire (Image: Andrew Gardner)

Based on the council’s spending figures from the past year, the money owed by Britannia could fund all bin collections in the city for over a fortnight.

Alternatively, the money spent on the Royal Albion demolition could run all of the city’s libraries and museums for a month.

Questions remain about what will happen to the hotel.

Council leader Bella Sankey said: “The Royal Albion Hotel is a very important Grade II listed building and given its prominent location along the seafront there is a strong desire to bring forward the restoration of the site.

“We’ve held discussions with the hotel owners and offered a series of meetings to ensure any proposals they have for the redevelopment of the site are appropriate and respectful to the building’s listed status.

“We’ve also sent over all the evidence for initial costs incurred by the council to Britannia’s insurers. We have not yet received any money to cover this claim, but this is something we will vigorously pursue on behalf of residents of Brighton and Hove.”

Britannia was approached for comment.