PLANS for a new lane in Brighton's historic shopping district have been expanded following a £14 million investment.

European property investment giant Redevco previously bought the Hanningtons Estate in North Street in 2015.

It has now spent a further £14 million on a number of properties in East Street - taking its investment in the area to £72 million.

It is thought the acquisition of the properties at 38-42 East Street could see the new lane, which will enter from North Street at the Timpsons building, link to East Street next to Baker & Spice - which was formerly Dermot O’Leary's restaurant Fishy Fishy.

The company told The Argus yesterday that it would "redevelop that whole area" to create the new lane.

Their newly acquired East Street properties include the shops currently occupied by Sandro, Maje, Estée Lauder, Lush and Pret A Manger.

The five retail units, with office and residential units in the four upper floors, total 1,793 sq m (19,305 sq ft).

Redevco’s plans will see a small underused alley at the back of the properties renovated with new shops and restaurants opening into the lane, the entrance to which formerly housed Fishy Fishy, the restaurant owned by Dermot O’Leary.

It is thought this alley could link to the planned Hannington Lane, being built from the Timpsons building.

A Redevco spokesman said: “We’re planning to create new retail units and to make that street a street where people would like to shop and drink and eat.

“We’re going to redevelop that whole area. The fact that we’ve been able to secure those properties makes it possible for us to redevelop, we’re going to create a new lane.”

Sue Addis, from nearby Donatellos restaurant, called the plans “just the kick up the backside the Lanes needs”, adding, “anything which livens it up and brings life back is great.”

The company’s acquisition follows their 2015 purchase of the former Hanningtons estate along the stretch of North Road which joins East Street at the roundabout near the taxi rank.

Last year The Argus reported on their plans to create a new lane at the back of that £50 million property by knocking down the Timpson shop in North Street and building shops and restaurants in the new Hannington Lane.

The plan was opposed by conservation groups who argued that the 235-year-old Timpson shop was of historically important.

Historic England wrote to the Government and said the shop should have been retained but the development was given the go-ahead by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Supporters said the new access would make the Lanes much easier to find for tourists leading to improved trade.

Commenting on Redevco’s plans to incorporate the East Street alley into their grand retail redevelopment, Phil Graves, of Brighton estate agents Graves Jenkins, said: “It’s not only a clever strategic scheme but will reignite the Lanes and East Street area.”