20 July, 2011
Leeds Consultants Handle Brighton Pier Sale
Leeds-based GVA Humberts Leisure has announced that Brighton’s landmark Grade II* listed Pier is for sale for the first time in over 25 years.
Acting on behalf of the current owners, the Noble Group, GVA Humberts Leisure advises that the disposal will involve the sale of the entire issued share capital of the Brighton Marine Palace Pier Company, which was established by Act of Parliament in 1888, to develop and operate the Pier.
Brighton Pier is one of Britain’s most iconic seaside leisure attractions and ranks alongside Brighton’s Pavilion as one of the city’s most important assets. Under Noble Group ownership since 1984, Brighton Pier’s commercial fortunes have been transformed. It is one of the country’s most visited attractions and is open to the public, free, throughout the year, seven days a week. It has served as the catalyst to the resurgence of Brighton’s exciting sea-front. At peak season, it employs over 300 people.
Facilities now include 18 themed attractions and rides on the Pier head, two modern amusement arcades together with numerous retail and entertainment outlets. Horatio’s and Victoria’s Bars and the recently refurbished Palm Court restaurant, anchor the Pier’s bar, catering and corporate entertainment.
Noble’s investment of some £35m has made Brighton Pier the UK’s largest privately funded conservation project.
David Biesterfield, Noble’s development director, comments: “Brighton Pier is unique: a dynamic, modern business based on and sustaining our heritage. Since 1984, Brighton Pier has re-established itself as one of the UK’s leading attractions in one of the country’s most popular and forward looking city resorts.
“Brighton is cosmopolitan and vibrant. It is Britain’s Green Capital with six Green Flag Parks and one of the world’s best beaches. Over eight million visitors come to Brighton annually and its status, as “London by the Sea”, the resurgence of British tourism and the forthcoming Olympics represent an exciting opportunity for further increasing the number of visitors to the Pier. We anticipate a great deal of interest in the sale of this world renowned asset.”
Over its long history, Brighton Pier has attracted many famous visitors: from Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly to Lara Stone and Ewan McGregor; from Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee to David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair; from The Who to the Arctic Monkeys; from Prince Edward (later Edward VII) to our own Prince Edward.
In recent years, Brighton Pier has featured in a Vogue cover-page fashion shoot, Woody Allen’s “Cassandra’s Dream” and is currently in use as an ident on the Disney Channel and Sky TV. National TV’s early morning flagship show, “Day Break”, often uses the Pier for its weather bulletins.
Brighton is a vibrant mix of significant attractions, award winning restaurants and hotels, modern art, theatre, boutique shopping and a year-round programme of festivals, events and conferences including Brighton Festival and the Brighton Marathon.
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