There is no denying that the announcement on Wednesday that the i360 is going into administration is sad news for the city. As a large local employer, the news will be devastating for staff, who now face uncertainty about their jobs. My thoughts go out to them at this challenging time.

There has been a lot said about the i360 over the decades since the idea was first mooted. Our seafront is the jewel in our crown; one of our city’s greatest assets, so there was excitement across the political spectrum when the seed of the idea was sown back in 2006.

The West Pier holds a special place in many residents’ hearts, so with pier restoration plans collapsing, a derelict pier, and a run down and neglected part of the seafront, there was a sense of optimism when the Labour-led council stated its support for the possibility of a new attraction on the seafront.

Brighton and Hove has always been an innovative and forward-thinking city, and the i360 offered hopes of regeneration for the area around the West Pier, and when it was granted planning permission in 2006, there was a collective belief in its potential to transform the city – something the then Labour leader of the council recognised, saying: “It is going to transform the city. The i360 will be a familiar picture postcard image - recognisable throughout the world. It will generate huge amounts of cash and benefit the city’s economy all year round.”

Following the 2008 banking crisis there was cross-party consensus too on supporting the i360 financially, given the West Pier was an area of the seafront crying out for an anchor attraction. Labour Councillor Gill Mitchell said at the time: “We’ve got an economy that’s flat-lining and banks that won’t lend so it’s right that the council should be bold.”

The Department for Transport gave its seal of approval in 2007 with cross-party celebration which the then Labour Council leader Simon Burgess called a dramatic development, and expressing relief that things could finally get going, with the project being secured for the city.

So, it’s no wonder there’s lots of noise and concern about the i360 calling in administrators. Greens were pleased to work cross-party on bringing the i360 to the city – and we want to work cross-party to help the city respond to what happens next. Collective responsibility isn’t just for when things are going well. We think the future of the city’s seafront is too important to be turned into political football.

The Green minority Administration agreed the loan, but that was only one step in a process spanning many years and strongly supported across the city’s political spectrum.

We will be robust about challenging any attempts to rewrite history or erase details of who supported the i360 project throughout the years.

The most pressing issue now is looking ahead and achieving the best outcomes for the city. Our seafront remains one of our best assets, and the West Pier site still holds a special place in residents’ hearts. Whoever takes ownership of the i360, or if the land is repurposed for alternative use, there is great potential here.

We’re seeing regeneration of the western end of the seafront thanks to Hove Beach Park taking shape following the planning permission that was brought forward in December 2022 under the Greens, and it;s positive news it will be completed under the current Labour administration. We saw Shelter Hall open after planning was granted under a Labour council, following a funding bid submitted by the Greens. It remains good news that the arches and the event space by the West Pier benefitted from regeneration and there is income the council continues to earn from this. Cross-party working has made an ongoing positive difference to the seafront and can do so again.

Aside from the i360 tower itself, seafront regeneration makes a wider contribution to the city’s economy and in 2019 Gavin Stewart from Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership said the i360 had “contributed nearly £90 million to the Brighton and Hove economy since it opened three years ago and hundreds of jobs had been created as a result of its operations. It has made a significant contribution to the city’s economy.”

So yes, options for the tower, and its potential sale need to be explored - there are big decisions, and challenges, ahead. But the broader benefits and continuing potential of this special part of our seafront must not be lost either.

Brighton and Hove is open for business. Our seafront is a good site for investment for whoever, or whatever, comes next – and let’s ensure that the next chapter captures and reflects the innovative and outward-facing city we are.