Plans approved to restore Imperial Arcade in Brighton

Brighton and Hove City Council has granted permission to restore the two entrances of the Imperial Arcade, located opposite Churchill Square in Brighton.

The decision was made on June 30.

The Imperial Arcade, a locally listed building, sits between Western Road and Dyke Road. It was constructed between 1923 and 1924, and remodelled in 1934.

The arcade was purchased in 2024, and its new owners Moretons Investments have begun a programme of restoration. Planning permission to refurbish the arcade’s interior was granted in February.

Pommy's, a New York-style pizza restaurant, recently opened in the Imperial Arcade, with more new businesses hopefully to come.

Drawings of the approved renovations (Image: Lewis & Co Planning) The newly approved works include repairs and reinstatement of blockwork and windows, the addition of cladding and the installation of new signage.

The entrances will also be fitted with replacement lattice grilles.

Earlier plans had proposed fully glazed frontages but these were withdrawn following objections from the council’s heritage officer.

The officer raised concerns about the loss of original stepped parapet features and the proposed design’s compatibility with the arcade’s historic character.

The revised application instead focuses on repairing and upgrading the existing structures.

Previous plans to renovate the entrances were pushed back on by council heritage officers (Image: Lewis & Co Planning) The planning statement described the entrances as having "suffered from weathering and neglect over the years".

It added that the arcade overall had endured "weathering and underinvestment" and was now "a shadow of its former importance".

The approved works will retain existing features while enhancing the stepped nature of the entrance parapets and window detailing.

This approach aims to preserve and improve elements referenced in the building’s local listing.

Additional approved works include gilded or metal cladding, Crittall windows with chevron glazing, and the cleaning of stonework to remove painted finishes.

Council planning officers said: "The proposed refurbished entrances are considered to be acceptable in terms of design, appearance and heritage.

"The character of the existing entrances would be retained, and the inclusion of windows with chevron glazing patterns would be considered a positive alteration."