A notorious prostitutes' haunt has been recreated to form a gateway to Brighton and Hove's cultural quarter.

The colonnade on the corner of New Road and North Street in Brighton, once the hunting ground for women of the night eager to catch the eye of theatre goers, has been rebuilt.

The building, which dates back to 1805, is poised to be reopened as a 130-seat Italian restaurant and gallery, featuring work from local artists.

Oxford-based Mogford Group, a restaurant chain run by Jeremy Mogford, has been working on the site since the summer and has reconstructed a series of grand pillars which lined the street in the early 19th Century.

The development, called Quod Restaurant and Bar, is expected to bring 30 jobs to the city when it opens in March. Sussex artists are being approached to exhibit their work in the gallery.

Amanda Shepherd, the city council's head of tourism, said: "This is a fantastic location and a beautiful building, which will effectively mark the gateway to the cultural quarter.

"We want to attract tourists looking for short breaks and conference delegates to the city. The Quod will add to the wonderful range of restaurants and bars we already have here, enticing even more people to visit."

In 1895 the colonnade was Mrs Homer Herrings Millinery and Mantle Shop and, in the 1900s, it became Clarks Caf. It has remained unused for several years.

As a restaurant and bar, the building is being given a completely new interior.

Mogford Group spokeswoman Jackie Wallace-Jones said: "The restaurant will be decorated in Quod's inimitable style with immense limestone floors, oak tables and a zinc-topped bar."

The restoration has been welcomed by traders in the North Laine.

Peter Stocker, secretary of North Laine Traders' Association, said: "It is clear a lot of time and money has been put into restoring this building to its former glory.

"North Laine is thriving but there has always been a feeling North Street is not quite as upmarket as it could be.

"This will hopefully signal the start of a street revamp."