MP hails 'new management' takeover of Legends Brighton

Legends in Brighton made the “difficult decision” to close for good last month after shutting due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But an update on the Marine Parade venue’s website claims it is now under new management and is set to reopen in the future.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming guests old and new,” the statement read.

“New website and booking information coming soon.”

Now Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said the news was “good to see”.

“Good luck to them,”the Labour MP said.

“I hope they will retrospectively pay all staff furlough as is allowed when a company takes over another.”

It has not been confirmed who the “new management” is.

Legends did not respond for comment when contacted by The Argus.

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle hailed the takeover of Legends

But a licensing application submitted by the venue last Thursday to Brighton and Hove City Council claims the designated person at Legends is Anthony Gerald Chapman.

A man of the same name is listed as the majority shareholder of Legends Brighton, the firm which owned the hotel before it announced voluntary liquidation in April.

Legends has a hotel, bar, outside terrace, and downstairs nightclub.

It has been one of the focal points of Brighton’s LGBT community since it opened in 2006.

In April Legends released a statement on its website stating it was going into “voluntary liquidation” just weeks after it was closed temporarily under the coronavirus lockdown.

It “sincerely apologised” to those affected by the closure.

An insolvency company was set to be brought in as the owners had decided to wind up the business.

A voluntary liquidation is usually where owners cannot pay business debts and decide to bring in the lender they owe money to.