WORK on the fire-ravaged west wing of the Royal Albion Hotel will not start until the end of the year.

The news has dismayed tourism representatives, who fear the charred remains on the seafront could damage trade. They have accused the hotel owners of dragging their heels over the repairs.

The 151-bedroom Royal Albion was destroyed by fire last November in the biggest blaze seen in Brighton for nearly 30 years.

Although work has started on rebuilding the hotel, The Argus has learned it will not start on the west wing, which faces the seafront, until the end of the year.

Marie White, a spokeswoman for the Palace Pier which faces the remains, said: "We are extremely disappointed to learn we will have to wait such a long time.

"So much money has been spent redeveloping the seafront and then we have this eyesore spoiling it all.

"The worst part is our visitors can spend a day on the pier then be confronted by this blot on the landscape when they leave."

Sue Addis, chair of the Lanes Traders Association, said: "It's a complete monstrosity on the seafront and it's made even worse by its location right in the tourist centre.

"I'm amazed it's going to take so long for anything to be done. I'm sure some sort of hoarding or screening could be put up.

"If we are going for city status and presenting ourselves as the place to be, we need to show our town in the best possible light."

Coun Ian Duncan, who chairs Brighton and Hove Council's arts, recreation and tourism committee, also attacked Britannia Hotels, which owns the building.

He said: "I'm disappointed the Albion's owners aren't going to start work on this mess at an earlier stage.

"We were all upset when the fire happened but we all expected work on this to be well under way by now."

The multi-million pound refurbishment is expected to be completed in around two years' time.

A site manager confirmed work rebuilding the west wing would start at the end of the year.

He added: "All sorts of planning applications and complications have to be overcome before we can get on with things."

Nobody from Britannia Hotels was available for comment.

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