More than £450,000 will be spent on a fading Eighties office block if councillors approve new proposals.

Extra city council staff would be moved into Bartholomew House, near Brighton Town Hall, from Royal York Buildings in Old Steine and Ovest House in West Street.

Alan McCarthy, the council's deputy chief executive, said: "Barts House has suffered from virtually no capital investment over the past 12 years.

"Rationalisation of space in the building and the potential capital receipt from the sale of Royal York Buildings would enable long overdue office environmental improvements to take place to give staff better working conditions."

These would include acoustic partitions, more toilets, better desks to make full use of space, a first aid room, a rest room, kitchens on each floor, meeting rooms on each floor and natural ventilation.

The building would be redecorated and partially recarpeted.

There would also have to be new cables for the extra computers and phones.

Royal York Buildings, a former hotel, would have to be vacated by September so it could be sold.

The council is choosing an experienced London firm to market the site and get the best price.

It is possible the buildings would be subdivided to preserve and enhance their historic character and to make them attractive to more investors.

English Heritage would be asked for comments as Royal York Buildings is listed as being of historic or architectural interest.

Ovest House, another modern building, is leased and this would have to be assigned. The building is now being marketed.

If councillors agree, £215,400 will be borrowed from the council's strategic investment fund so the work can go ahead but will be repaid once Royal York Buildings has been sold.

Revenue savings through the office changes are expected to be £350,000 and there would be even greater savings if the sale of Royal York Buildings is used to repay the debt.

Thursday July 10, 2003