The £400 million redevelopment of the Brighton Centre is unlikely to take place in the next ten years.

Bosses at Brighton and Hove City Council have admitted they feel the plans to revamp the conference centre, which brings millions of pounds into the city's economy every year, are unlikely to come forward soon.

They add that bookings for the venue are continuing with queries extending up to 2024 - more than ten years after the new centre was due to open.

But last night Standard Life, which is the local authority's partners in the scheme, said it was still working to bring the project forward.

It comes as workmen continue with the £1 million improvements to the 1970s seafront building which bosses believe will enable it to continue to attract delegates for a further decade.

Speaking to a town hall watchdog, tourism cabinet member Geoffrey Bowden said: “I'm not saying we're going to lose it in ten years but the current redevelopment will give us at least ten years.“There are one or two party conferences that are making inquiries and will bring one, two, five thousand people into the city “That sort of economic activity cannot be sniffed at.”

Speaking afterwards to The Argus, he said: “The work that has been done at the front will certainly give it a major boost to its appeal.“But looking long-term we have to think are we missing out on the major events.”Coun Bowden added some of the recent enquiries stretch to 2024.

The local authority signed up for a £400 million redevelopment scheme, which also involves the Churchill Square car parks and the neighbouring Kingswest cinema and nightclub complex owned by Standard Life Investments, in December 2008.

Make Architects, whose partners have been involved with London's Gherkin and Wembley Stadium, were commissioned to draw up plans in July 2009.

But no visible proposals have been brought forward.

Since then, to ensure the city does not get left behind by other cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, the council has invested £1 million in the building.

Work, which includes floor-to-ceiling windows and installing a new entrance way, began in July.

Howard Barden, general manager at the Brighton Centre, said at the time: “With a continued investment programme we anticipate we will greatly enhance the delegate experience.”

The delay is thought to leave the local authority with a number of options.

It could push ahead with the complete redevelopment proposals with Standard Life.

However, senior figures are thought to favour a “step-by-step” approach which would see the conference centre revamped in sections to ensure bookings and events can still take place.

The revelation comes as Hove MP Mike Weatherley and Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby announced they are campaigning to bring the Conservative party conference back to the city.

Ed Jenkins, of Standard Life Investments, said: “We are currently working with the council and remain fully committed to exploring the opportunity presented to both parties through the potential expansion of Churchill Square Shopping Centre and the associated redevelopment of the Brighton convention centre.”