Brighton hotel’s multi-million pound revamp given thumbs up

The Old Ship Hotel will have an extra 54 bedrooms, six shops lining the front of the building and a swimming pool with a retractable roof.

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.

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 the contemporary with 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.

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.