One of the city’s oldest and most prominent seafront hotels has been granted planning permission to upgrade its facilities to include 54 more bedrooms, an independent restaurant, swimming pool and six retail units.
The plans aim to enhance the surrounding area, encouraging more footfall in Ship Street and improving pedestrian links between the seafront and The Lanes.
Proposals include building a six-storey extension in Black Lion Street, linking the east and west wings of the hotel's existing fourth floor, restoring the internal courtyard to provide a new swimming pool area, new leisure facilities and a health club and providing new commercial units to include restaurant and conference facilities.
Combining the old with the new
Councillor Tracey Hill, chair of Brighton & Hove’s planning committee, said: “The Old Ship Hotel is one of our oldest landmark buildings on the seafront and this shows how sensitive planning can successfully combine contemporary and heritage buildings.
“The plans will also improve the street scene and the extra bed spaces will be a welcome addition to the city as a conference and tourism destination.”
Part of Brighton’s Old Ship Hotel dates back to the 18th century when the town was just beginning to be a fashionable place to visit. The Assembly Rooms were built in 1767, before the Royal Pavilion, and are now Grade II* listed. Most of the buildings that form the hotel are 19th century and the hotel is in the Old Town conservation area.
Supporting the visitor economy
Brighton & Hove’s planning policy aims to support the city's tourism and business conference economy through encouraging provision of a variety of visitor accommodation.
More information
Read the report for the Planning Committee (agenda item 55B)
