Brighton residents say the i360 heading towards administration is sad for the city – but many are not surprised.

Thoughts are turning to what happens next for the landmark, with some wanting to keep the attraction while others say it should be taken down.

The i360 filed a notice to appoint administrators on Wednesday in a blow to the city seafront.

Reacting to the news, Brighton resident Fiona Manklow said: “If I’m really honest I’m not surprised at all.

(Image: Sussex News and Pictures) “I was trying to work out the finances and it never made sense to me. I think it was ill conceived right from the start.

“It’s really beautiful but the numbers never stacked up for me.

“The financials were overly optimistic. I found the debt particularly distressing. I think people get carried away with these ideas.

“I’m not sure it will ever make sufficient money to pay for itself.”

Brighton i360 Ltd filed a notice of its intention to appoint administrators this week, citing dwindling visitor numbers and struggles with the cost-of-living crisis.

The news raises questions about what will happen to the attraction with the possibility the i360 could be dismantled if a buyer decided they wanted to develop the land.

Some social media users told The Argus they wanted to see the i360 dismantled while others said they wanted to see it sold and the money used to repair Brighton’s West Pier.

Others suggested the attraction could be repurposed as a “revolving restaurant” and some wanted to see the return of the Brighton wheel.

The Brighton WheelThe Brighton Wheel

On the closure, Pauline O’Halloran told The Argus: “I was really surprised, I was quite surprised because it’s such a tourist spot. It’s quite expensive though.

“When there were local elections I looked into it. Clearly there have been some issues and it was struggling financially.

“I think there are more opportunities they are missing out on. I think they could be doing a lot more locally.”

Sisters Maggie and Tricia, who did not want to give their surnames,  said it was “rather sad” after the attraction had become “like the London Eye” for the city.

Maggie added: “It would be a shame to take it down. Its quite a short journey so if they made it more affordable maybe people would go on it.

“They can use the area at the bottom much more effectively.”