April 2017
We’ve written before about the Council’s plan to create a new conference and events centre at Black Rock. They intend it to replace the Brighton Centre. We are aware that this has the potential to make major changes in our city and we are keen to know how this is progressing.
The Council’s partner in this venture is Standard Life Investments (owners of Churchill Square).
Their plan is to demolish the Brighton Centre and possibly the Kingswest building in order to expand the Churchill Square shopping centre and link it through from Western Road to the seafront. Apparently the plan is that borrowing against increased business rates from the enlarged shopping centre alongside the funding raised from the sale of the Brighton Centre will pay for the construction of a new conference and events centre at Black Rock. Anticipated income from the conference and events centre will also fund the borrowing.
All this was decided a year ago, but as yet there have been no announcements of progress on this far reaching proposal nor any details of public consultations about it.
We’re concerned, especially since we fear a deal will be signed with Standard Life Investments before we have an opportunity to comment. The implications could be huge: here are just some of the issues we are worried about:
These and other issues could have huge implications. We are disappointed that so little effort is being made to consult with interest groups and local people to ensure we share the Council’s vision. We can see how such a scheme might be financially advantageous for the Council, but we are much less sure that it will benefit our city.
images show the Black Rock site today (top), the Brighton centre and the Black Rock site with Arundel Terrace showing behind it (centre)