A half-empty and neglected shopping arcade has been bought by a local property developer which says it wants to “breathe new life” into it.
Imperial Arcade, which runs between Western Road and Dyke Road, has become gradually more run down over the last decade, with tenants moving out and not being replaced.
Yesterday, Moretons Investments announced it has bought the site, and is putting together plans to revitalise it alongside luxury homes.
Director Michael Blencowe said: “Moretons Investments are thrilled to embark on this journey and excited about the positive impact it will have on consumers and residents alike.
“We aim to breathe new life into the Imperial Arcade, making it a spirited venue once again for the entire community to enjoy.”
Imperial Arcade, was built in 1923 and was once a prime space for boutique retail
Moretons says it will be collaborating with local architects, planners, the council and other professionals to draw up plans for a “vibrant commercial space” in the arcade, “complemented by luxurious residential accommodations”.
In desperate need of investment. Just hope that the Blencowes have genuine intentions given their history in the city and the horror stories from tenants in Windsor Court, Grand Parade and other businesses who’ve rented from them over the years.
I was thinking there has been quite a few businesses that have been in there, not many of them folded, but just moved out from the arcade and continued successfully.
“Luxury homes” ring alarm bells to me, that’s going to be unaffordable, poor value flats, potentially AirBnB dwellings making full use of its accomodation.
I haven’t been up there for years. Can anyone tell me what businesses are now in the Arcade?
None hahahaha
One. A bureau de change. Oh and a small shop that sells COVID masks and the like. That’s it all else gone.
THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE LIVING THERE IN FLATS
Hmmm – once part of Brighton Corporation’s proud rebuilding of the north side of Western Road in the1930s, surely?
Very, very worrying the way our Council lets our property assets fall into disrepair, and then sells them off cheaply (to those with ‘connections’?).
Regrettably the reporter does not appear to have followed the usual B&H News practice of checking the Land Registry? So readers are not being told if Moreton have bought a lease, and for how many years? Or whether our Council has sold the freehold, and for how much of that very large built structure?
A major first question seems to be why has the Council failed to attract tenants when it owned and operated Imperial Arcade?
Followed by a query as to what involvement our elected Councillors have ever had in the decline and sell-off of what should be a valuable income-producing public asset in this prime shopping area?
Underlying the neglect of our assets is very likely to be mainly due to internal Town Hall ‘gaming’ of the annual ‘Depreciation Fund’ charge for each Capital Asset?
Which is to say that each Council Directorate, being cash-strapped, seems likely to be allowed to pay a lower depreciation contribution, from its annual Revenue budget, for the use of the Capital Assets allocated to that Directorate?
Sadly few, if any, Councillors seem to have the time for a ‘forensic accounting’ examination of this part of the Council’s finances?
What’s going to happen to the people living in the flats?
Thank you very much, Ddavid + Eve above. So sad to find out what’s in there now and to see in the photo what the exterior looks like. BAHTAG, are you saying this was council-owned until Moretons bought it, or was there another entity in between over the years?
Did the council ever own the property?
The Argus article mentions it was bought it from a company called AEW UK
Hey there it’s Christian how are you doing today can they open a art gallery for poeple to show and sell there art work that would be amazing
If you rent a unit from them you can set up an art gallery yourself.
Yes this is Baron homes who have quite a reputation and not in a good way.
Indeed. A very prominent reputation indeed.
Baron to sort out the baron arcade…don’t mess it up
Over the years visiting Brighton I’ve often walked through Imperial Arcade, as it’w opposite a bus stop I often use & recall seeing many changes, there was a good fabric shop there I often browsed in, amongst many others. On a lighter note I also remember about 28 years ago coming to Brighton with my then boyfriend, daughter & son, walking through the arcade, en route to Western Road. Losing sight of my young son, my partner then found him in the Condom shop, my son said he thought they were ‘balloons’!!
Thank you, Chris C above. AEW UK seems to be part of a global and mega-rich conglomerate, which makes you wonder why such a huge and fancy outfit would ever bother with acquiring something like our little Arcade in the first place. Something doesn’t smell right here.
The property isn’t just the interal street. It also includes the Western Road buildings so likely to command a good rental from the likes of Three, EE and cafe nero
The heritage listing says it’s all one building
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/planning/heritage/local-list-heritage-assets-directory/western-road-203-211-and-1-17-arcade-buildings-imperial-arcade-brighton
The location will have definitely been a factor in the decision. Having property in the heart of Brighton town centre could be very lucrative.
I thought Baron Homes owned the Arcade before? Looks like same people behind it but through a different company
So will these luxury residences start making noise complaints against the venue next door and get it closed down? Seems the Brighton way.
Taking your comment at face value – because of the zoning of the centre of town, such a complaint would not be upheld.
Hopefully the new owners will deliver. As it is that area is depressingly run down.
It would be great if this badly neglected Arcade could be brought back to life – sadly in the hands of community destroyers, Moreton Investments, it’ll become Airbnb properties and perhaps a bars and restaurants Arcade.
Moretons couldn’t care less about Brighton Heritage nor its residents or communities. They rip the heart out of residential streets purely motivated by their own rinse every penny for profit approach.
All part of Baron Homes /Blencowe empire whose owners and staff have no scruples, no morals and no integrity.