Embassy Court in Brighton has been an eyesore for so long that some people in the city wonder if it can ever be restored.

But owners of the dilapidated seafront block are now bringing none other than Sir Terence Conran to renovate it at a cost of about £5 million.

It sounds sensible since renovated Conran-style flats on a prime seafront site would be both attractive and worth a great deal of money.

Beneath the shabby exterior lurks a Grade-II listed block of flats, which is one of the finest buildings in Britain from the Thirties.

Embassy Court was magnificent when it was built. It could regain its former glory.

There have been false dawns before but this time there ought to be real progress, especially now some of the legal problems have ended.

Restoration of Embassy Court depends on the willingness of owners to fork out large sums of money in the hope the investment proves sound.

They may need some outside help. It would be worthwhile for the sake of a building, which could be a star on the seafront rather than a slum.