Brighton and Hove pubs and restaurants we lost in the last 12 months

High inflation, rising rent, energy, and food prices, and the cost-of-living crisis have all contributed to venues closing in Brighton and Hove in the last 12 months.

Pub closures in Brighton and Hove

• Le Village, High Street, Brighton, closed in June 2023

This pub was in the heart of Brighton’s gay community in Kemp Town and said constant complaints and a restricted licence caused its closure.

The pub, formerly the Ranelagh, had its licence reviewed in 2020 after neighbours complained about loud music and antisocial behaviour by customers.

Neighbours expressed concern about noise during the working week, as well as one particularly boisterous Sunday night when a stripper performed at midnight.

The news was greeted with sadness by its patrons, with one taking to Facebook to say: “Le Village was our saviour when we were locked out of being inside a pub and could only sit outdoors.

“I fear with pub prices rising ever higher and people having to fork out hundreds more in mortgage payments and rent increases, there could be more closures in the pipeline.

“The punters are not made of money and something has to give somewhere.”

• The Hanover Pub, Queens Park Road, Brighton, closed in March 2023

The Hanover pub was a staple in the community for decades, and its closure marked the end of an era - with a pub being on the site since the 1800s.

The Hanover pub was a staple in the community for decades, and its closure marked the end of an era - with a pub being on the site since the 1800s.

Permission to knock down The Hanover and build houses on the site was granted to the freeholders of Hanover, Graderich, in 2002.

There have been several planning application submissions for this pub in the last twenty years, including the permission to develop nine houses in and around the site in 2005.

The Hanover was sold by its leaseholders, Indigo Leisure Ltd, to another developer to make way for housing development.

• The Cliftonville Inn, George Street, Hove, closed in March 2023

The Wetherspoon pub was first put up for sale in September 2022 and its closure was confirmed in March 2023.

When it was put up for sale the chain said it understood that customers and staff may be “disappointed” that it was being sold.

The Cliftonville was sold with all fixtures and fittings apart from tills and IT equipment.

Restaurant closures in Brighton and Hove

• Café Malbec, Church Road, Hove, closed March 2023

Albion's Spanish and South American stars, including former striker Leonardo Ulloa, Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento, and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister frequented this restaurant.

Cafe Malbec, which opened in 2017, said it felt like the "right time to say goodbye on a high".

Marcus Lavaggi-Bowen said: "So sad to hear this, although LatinoAmerica is still here, it's not going to be the same without you next door."

The Anglo-Argentine Society said: "Some decisions are very difficult and we wish you the very best."

Marcella James added: "Good luck, well done for all your hard work."

• Café Rouge, The Waterfront, Brighton Marina, closed February 2024

This closure was part of a national string of closures by food conglomerate Big Table Group.

The restaurant had been on the Marina boardwalk for 15 years.

A spokeswoman for Cafe Rouge said at the time: "We review every site to ensure we always have the right offer in the right location, and after careful consideration we have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant in Brighton on February 1."

• H’s Café, Coombe Road, Brighton, closed February 2024

Full English breakfasts with builders’ tea were served here for over two decades and proved popular with students and residents.

A letter published by the cafe online said: "Hi everyone, it’s with regret we have decided to close up. "The last few years have been very challenging through the pandemic and also the ever-increasing costs.

"Sonny and the staff would like to say a big thank you for making the last 20+years such a success but now feels like the right time for someone else to give it a go."

But the Cafe's reputation was even known outside of the city. Maxine Barnes, from Ipswich, said the venue was a must every time she came to the city.

• Karen’s Diner, The Boardwalk, Brighton Marina, closed in March 2024

This diner’s closure came after police found significant traces of drugs at the Marina branch and that they had broken various licensing and safety rules.

The diner was also criticised for giving a nine-year-old child a hat saying that she “should have been a bl*w j*b”.

A spokesman for Karen’s Diner previously said that the employee responsible would not be offered employment anymore.

When approached for comment about the report’s findings, a spokesman previously said: “Karen’s Diner does not condone any illegality or offence to public or customers in any of our franchises.

“Our franchises are intended to be tongue-in-cheek fun without causing offence. We are shocked and disappointed by the recent findings of Brighton and Hove Licensing Unit.”

• Vurger Co, Brighton Place, Brighton, closed in February 2024

The Vurger Co. opened in 2020 and proved to be popular with its 100 per cent plant-based menu.

But the vegan restaurant closed after nearly four years due to the cost-of-living crisis and a dip in consumer confidence in vegan products.

In a statement on social media, a spokeswoman for the restaurant brand previously said: “When we began, we truly didn’t have a playbook, we had no competitor to replicate, no other small vegan restaurant business to ask about crowdfunding, no one to ask about how to scale a vegan restaurant brand – and everything in between.

• Flower Burger, North Street, Brighton, closed in October 2023

After Flower Burger in North Street closed, BarBurrito took over the vacant unit.

Flower Burger was refused a grant for a premises licence during a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel hearing in 2022.

The reason for refusal was due to objections from Sussex Police and council licensing officials.

• Semolina, Baker Street, Brighton, closed in 2023

Semolina was family-run and the owners wanted to focus on their family life after closing their business.

Orson Whitfield and his wife Linda were co-owners said their focus has changed since opening in November 2014.

He previously told The Argus: “My son Rocco starts school in September. I don’t want to work nights anymore and I just don’t want to do those hours. I’m his dad and the chef here.”

• Dodo Pizza, York Place, Brighton, closed March 2023

Watkins Commercial, who sold the lease, said the current owner wished to focus on other business opportunities.