BRIGHTON’S best-known hotel has shut.

The general manager of The Grand on the seafront said it would be closing to “help support the NHS”.

The hotel said it would “be offering our seafront balcony rooms and room service exclusively to NHS staff only, at a cost to us”.

Staff at the hotel said there were no more details available on how this would work “as it has only just happened”.

General manager Andrew Mosley said in a statement yesterday: “In the interest of safety and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, we will be closing our doors today until further notice.

“If you have a future booking with us you will be contacted in due course to ask whether you would like to postpone your stay or cancel with us, along with details of refunds that are being offered and how we are processing them for you.”

It is currently unknown when the hotel will be able to reopen but bosses have said no staff will be made redundant as a result of the closure.

The hotel was not instructed to close.

Management said the decision was taken with people’s health and safety in mind.

Mr Mosley said: “Please bear with our team whilst we work through our lists as efficiently as possible.

“Our period of closure will be monitored and adjusted according to advice and enforcements on an ongoing basis. During this time, we are delighted to be able to offer our seafront balcony rooms and room service exclusively to NHS staff only, at a cost to us.

“We are proud to be playing a part in offering support to our precious NHS and the heroic people within it.

“We are also able to share that we are committing to pay all of our team members their full contracted wages during this period of uncertainty, indefinitely.

“Our senior leadership team will continue to offer further support, guidance and virtual wellbeing checks.

“To our guests and customers, we couldn’t do any of what we do without you.

“We are forever thankful for your unwavering support, which we never take for granted. Please follow us on social media and sign up to our newsletters to stay in touch.

“With all best wishes to you and yours for the coming months, keep positive, stay healthy and support each other.

“We will get through this together and when we reopen, we will be warmly welcoming you back.”

The historic four-star hotel was the scene of a failed IRA assassination on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984. It is 155 years old and has 201 rooms spread over seven floors.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal.  Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund