[Brighton] i360 filing for administration

[SkirlieWirlie]

Right, rebuild the West Pier which is what they should have done in the first place. Silly really.

I'm all for recycling it...

 

[SkirlieWirlie]

As someone with businesses on Brighton seafront and knowing most who have the shops along the prom, we knew when we saw the paperwork years before it was built that it would never work.
They based their figures on 10 million visitors to Brighton every year - correct
But they then said a percentage would want to go on the i360 - correct
What they didn't realise is that of the 10 million, 6 million come every year. Therefor by year 4 the % of new visitors who had not been on the i360 was low.
Next is the 'exit through the gift shop' and this is my expert department. They sold nothing that showed Brighton. Everything was British Airways i360 when tourists want Brighton Rock and Gifts. Look at the Cafe/Restaurant, it was never used. Again there are bars along the prom with standing room only and they have high prices, but the prices at the cafe were beyond expensive.
Next are the small arches along the prom. i360 had a deal with the council that these shops could not sell any items sold at the i360, no gifts or bars or cafes.
We all knew it was doomed from day one.
But now the West Pier. There were plans to rebuild it but the council said it must not be a fun fair style pier similar to the Brighton Pier. So nothing that makes money!
Whilst I'm in the mood, the town as a tourist attraction is dying. Unreliable and expensive trains, £35 a day car park if you can even get into town, roads congested all the time and so expensive once you're here. Hotels charging £200+ a night mean people aren't staying the week as they used to.
But would I want the i360, oh yes. In the correct hands, people who know the seafront tourist business, it can make a lot of money. Sadly though, not the £millions it cost to build and is still oweing. If it sold freehold debt free for £20 million it would be a good business. Remember the Brighton Pier sold for £50 million a few years ago and they make money but have a lot more to offer.

Spot on... how they've never made a go of the restaurant with that type of facility and location, I don't know. Negligence, incompetence or both?

 

[alanfp]

Shame as it’s a welcome addition to the seafront. I’m sure something positive will materialize.

What makes you so certain?

Perversely, when anyone says "I'm sure" they actually mean "I think". As in "I'm SURE I left my keys by the back door" - you only say it when you discover that they are NOT there!

 

[amexer]

Shame as it’s a welcome addition to the seafront. I’m sure something positive will materialize.

May well be a welcome addition but not with £50m of tax payers money. How much are owners due to lose

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Should move it to Falmer and make it a retractable north upper tier?

Could market it as the “no ceiling” experience?

 

[Albion my Albion]

Shame as it’s a welcome addition to the seafront. I’m sure something positive will materialize.

So if they build a positive i360 and attach a giant potato sculpture will it become a battery and reduce the electric costs for EV owners?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'm sure there will be plenty of people delighted by this news, but I will not be amongst their number. I really like the i360 it's a unique addition to the Brighton skyline. For me it just needs an operator that has experience with running tourist attractions.

This.

 

[Commander]

You mean the tower from which you can see, on a good day, an expanse of water and the tops of buildings isn't a massive money spinner?

That nobody in their right mind would ever do more than once.

 

[macbeth]

i don’t hate it, and i think it’s become an nice, futuristic addition to the city skyline. the toilets in the visitor centre are also very handy when there is a massive queue at the other public ones in the summer. did seem like a massive vanity project however when the money would’ve repaired the madeira arches several times over.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

It's a viewing tower that costs £50 for a family of 4 to go up. Once you've done it, you're probably not doing it again.

Always have been more for a new West Pier. Looking at the wonderfully restored ticket booths just makes me wonder what could have been...

 

[GJN1]

You mean the tower from which you can see, on a good day, an expanse of water and the tops of buildings isn't a massive money spinner?

The i180 as it should be called.

 

[GJN1]

It's a viewing tower that costs £50 for a family of 4 to go up. Once you've done it, you're probably not doing it again.

Always have been more for a new West Pier. Looking at the wonderfully restored ticket booths just makes me wonder what could have been...

£50 for what? Thirty minutes tops?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I like the i360 as a tourist attraction and even as part of the Brighton skyline. I've been on it once as a resident shortly after it first opened - but I have no real interest in going on it again. I probably would, if I was showing non-local friends or family a day out in the city for example.

It is not surprising it has failed as a business. It has been unlucky (COVID, weather, etc) and poorly run, poorly marketed.

My only concern with it is how much it has actually cost the city. I predict our council tax will increase by 5% or whatever the maximum allowed is every year regardless, but it would be nice to know that the council can recoup the money lent, or somehow benefit from the debt, so that it can be reinvested into the city.

Does anyone here ITK have more info about how much has cost the council, and whether the city is likely to benefit from the debt in the future?

It will be interesting to be reminded of the safeguards regarding the loan and where the money actually came from. I seem to recall the money was actually borrowed from the government.

 

[Wozza]

Guess the outlook today is bleak in more ways than one.

 

[birthofanorange]

Maybe the starlings could buy it in instalments so they could have higher perches?

 

[portlock seagull]

Always thought it was a boring unimaginative idea. Especially when the view from several points around the South Downs is far better. And free…

 

[Gazwag]

Maybe they could install a Spoons at the top?

I think you would find the pub will be at the bottom and the toilets at the top

 

[Gazwag]

Next is the 'exit through the gift shop' and this is my expert department. They sold nothing that showed Brighton. Everything was British Airways i360 when tourists want Brighton Rock and Gifts.

I went on it last year having had a trip as a gift and I don't remember seeing anything to do with BA, Brighton Gin was on display, loads of Brighton photos and other stuff to buy.

 

[Binney on acid]

I hope our grandchildren's grandchildren enjoy paying off this debt.

 

[jackalbion]

The Jack Stephenson Kiss of Death falls itself upon another one of my former workplaces.