THE regeneration of Brighton’s crumbling seafront has been dealt a bitter blow.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s bid for £4 million to kick-start the scheme has been rejected by the Government.

Council leader Warren Morgan accused the Government of letting the city down while business owners said they feared for their future.

The local authority had planned to use the funding to launch a £24 million project to restore the crumbling Madeira Terraces. The proposal was to turn them into shops, cafes, galleries and hotels.

Cllr Morgan said he was “bitterly disappointed” and criticised the Government.

He said: “It appears we have not been given the £4 million funding for the terraces restoration from Government that we bid for.

“We have not even been given the courtesy of an email to let us know. I am bitterly disappointed and angry with the Government. Yet again they have let us down, first they failed to invest in our rail infrastructure, now they are failing to invest even a modest amount in our seafront heritage and tourism infrastructure.”

Pressure had been mounting on the council to came up with a plan to rescue what has been described as the jewel in the city’s crown.

The £24 million proposal was the local authority’s answer but it had been banking on being granted the £4 million.

Business owners along the seafront told The Argus yesterday they were concerned for their future.