Britannia Hotels to be charged for demolition costs following Brighton hotel fire

Britannia Hotels will be charged for “all costs incurred” during demolition and safety work at the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton, which was destroyed in a fire last month.

The fire, which broke out on 15 July, damaged much of the western portion of the hotel fronting the Pool Valley and resulted in eight flats in the Youth Hotels Association and nine flats in the adjacent Lace House also being evacuated.

Brighton and Hove City Council took control of the site after an emergency meeting on 17 July and has conducted at least £500,000 worth of safety and demolition work.

A representative from Britannia Hotels acknowledged the charge for the costs at the emergency meeting held with local authorities.

A senior police officer, two police sergeants, a structural engineer, two senior fire officers, a representative from Dorton Demolition and representation from the Emergency Planning Unit were also in attendance.

According to council papers, the authorities are “actively seeking repayment of all costs incurred from Britannia Hotels”, including additional costs for technical support and officer time.

Due to the hotel structure collapsing, the council was required to prevent debris landing on surrounding buildings and the A259 in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

The Royal Albion hotel was built in 1826 on the site of the house of Dr Richard Russell, the promoter of sea-bathing who helped build Brighton's popularity as a holiday resort.