Council leader Warren Morgan has today welcomed the news that the British Airways i360 is selling first flights for 4 August. Councillor Morgan said:
“Brighton & Hove depends and thrives on tourism, culture and businesses. It’s attractions like the British Airways i360 that will keep visitors coming to the city time and time again, which is great for local businesses and ultimately residents too.
“Our city has always changed to meet the challenges of the times, whilst retaining its culture and heritage. We must ensure we innovate, compete and prosper as a city but I’m clear that we will also ensure that the benefits of that prosperity will be shared by all.
“The i360 will be a high-quality visitor attraction for an estimated 700,000-750,000 people each year, making it the most visited paid for attraction in Brighton and Hove.
“It will generate destination activity all year round, providing new impetus and support for retail, catering, and hotels by attracting an estimated 27,000 to 49,000 additional overnight visitors to the city - overnight visitors who spend eight times more than day visitors; which in turn creates more jobs for local people and a boosted economy.
“The i360 will also draw additional investment and act as a catalyst for further regeneration of the seafront.
“The profit on the interest from the loan and the business rates which the i360 will pay will earn the city more than £1 million a year. This is £1 million a year which the council will reinvest in Brighton & Hove and help support local services.
“With the i360 leading the way in committing to being one of the few employers in the seafront and city’s tourism and hospitality sector paying the Living Wage, I hope others will follow also suit and become fair employers.”
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