The Brighton i360 has closed with immediate effect following years of financial woes, leaving 109 employees without jobs just days before Christmas. This closure marks the demise of the observation tower, which has been beset with economic troubles since it opened.
On December 20, 2024, administrators from Interpath Advisory officially took over the operation of the i360 following the company’s attempts to find new investment and avoid entering administration. Unfortunately, no viable buyer surfaced, prompting the drastic closure.
Local authorities have expressed deep disappointment at the outcome, particularly as the owners, Brighton i360 Ltd., owe approximately £51 million to the Brighton & Hove City Council. This loan was arranged to fund the construction of the 162-meter tall tower back in 2014, which was part of an ambitious regeneration project to draw tourists to the seafront.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, the deputy leader and cabinet member for Finance and City Regeneration, emphasized the need for scrutiny concerning the council’s past financial decisions related to the i360. "Investment in Brighton i360 has clearly been a financial disaster for the council," Taylor stated, reflecting on how the attraction, rather than stimulating local economic growth, became a significant burden on public funds.
The Brighton i360 opened its doors to the public in August 2016. Designed by renowned architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, the structure was envisioned to transform the beachfront experience. Despite initial enthusiasm, the attraction struggled to maintain ticket sales, especially during the pandemic and the increased competition from additional nearby entertainment options.
Friday's redundancy meeting left staff members devastated. Many were informed they would not receive their pay for the upcoming weeks, adding to the frustration of losing their jobs so close to the festive season. "It's really heart-breaking for everyone in there. It's at an awful time with Christmas coming up," expressed Jess Davis, one of the affected employees.
The council's feedback was mirrored by local residents who felt the ticket prices— set at £18.50 for adults— were excessively high compared to what the experience provided. Commenting on the high costs, one resident remarked, "The view around is not particularly attractive, and it was quite expensive, so I could not understand the attraction." This sentiment reflected broader community views on the value the i360 provided.
Despite its closure, the council indicated it would continue searching for alternative investment opportunities for the site. Taylor noted, "We will continue to work closely with Brighton i360’s administrators to explore options for investment ... but the council is not in a position to take over the operation of the i360 as it would mean investing more public money, which we do not have. Residents rightly could not stomach such expenditure." This highlights the perceived need for fiscal responsibility, especially after seeing £51 million tied up with no returns.
The deputy leader announced intentions to conduct an independent audit of the public funds used to see how the initial loan decision came about and offer insights for future decisions. This approach aims to restore accountability and inform future council investments.
Administrators at Interpath Advisory stressed the duty to assist former employees during this tough period. Managing director Steve Absolom stated, "Our thoughts are with the loyal and dedicated staff at the i360 who will be devastated by this news, particularly at this time of year. Our immediate priority will be to work with all of them to provide support to make claims to the Redundancy Payments Service." Employing this service ensures those let go can receive at least some financial support as they transition to new employment opportunities.
Community reaction has been mixed, with some expressing sympathy for the staff and others pointing to the failed business model as partly responsible for the closure. Another local commented, "It’s disappointing, but we never went up on it. We thought about it but didn’t get around to it; perhaps it's our own stupid fault," indicating some public apathy toward the attraction's offerings.
The council's investigation will not only focus on the financial failing but also on evaluating how the community can learn from this disappointment moving forward. Taylor concluded, "Regeneration of this site did not require such high public investment and the amount of money left unpaid to the council is something we now cannot spend on frontline service delivery. It’s important to learn lessons for the future." This could serve as a cautionary tale for future revenue-generative public projects.
