Wed, 27 Nov 2024 | ADMINISTRATION
The company behind Brighton’s i360 viewing pod has filed for administration.
Brighton i360 Ltd owes £51 million to Brighton & Hove City Council, which said that it has received notice from the company of its intention to appoint administrators. The council therefore expects the company to enter administration in the near future.
The council said it understands that, once the company is in administration, the administrators from Interpath will review their options. These include keeping the attraction open for the short- to medium-term while the administrators attempt to find a buyer to rescue the Brighton i360 – if financially viable and sufficient visitor demand exists.
Charlie Carter from Interpath, who is leading the sales process said: “The Brighton i360 has become an iconic visitor attraction, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but unfortunately is now at real risk of closure unless a buyer can be found.”
The i360 glass viewing pod is 450 feet high providing locals and tourists with views over Brighton, the South Downs and the coast. It is also used for events such as weddings, conferences, film shoots, private events and Christmas parties.
Julia Barfield, chair of Brighton i360 Ltd, said the decision to file for administration was a direct result of escalating costs, unfavourable summer weather conditions and the cost-of-living crisis. It was also badly impacted by the Covid pandemic, hampering debt payments.
However, despite this it managed to post a turnover of £5.85 million in the year to June 30, 2023 up from £5.6 million the previous year.
In 2014, the council lent £36.2 million to Brighton i360 Ltd to fund the tower. In January this year, it had repaid £5.8 million. But under its original repayment schedule, it had been due to pay almost £18m by September 2023.
The council said the £51m debt consisted of the council loan at a commercially agreed interest rate, and a £4m Coast to Capital loan. The last payment to the council was made in June 2023.
Find out more about how to find and buy distressed assets
A spectacular 41-bedroom, 3* hotel in historic village, popular with tourists. Situated at "the Gateway to the Highlands" & West Coast mainline railway junction.
FREEHOLD
With its picturesque location in the Isle of Whithorn on the beautiful Solway Coast of Dumfries & Galloway in South West Scotland. The inn, which has been owned and operated by the same family for over 40 years, has 7 Letting Bedrooms, 2 bars and 2 r...
FREEHOLD
Located on the Island of Burray, just off mainland Orkney, once only accessible by boat, but now linked by the iconic causeways - the Churchill Barriers. The hotel itself has an imposing position overlooking the beach and Burray Harbour, with stunnin...
FREEHOLD
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.