Brighton's most famous hotel is planning a multi-million pound revamp of its rooms.

The Grand on Brighton seafront is planning to refurbish all 200 rooms, replacing everything from the curtains and carpets to the bathroom.

The revamp, which is still at the planning stage, is expected to take place later this year, if given final approval by hotel bosses.

The De Vere five-star hotel has applied for planning permission from Brighton and Hove City Council to install air conditioning units in 65 of its 200 rooms as part of the revamp.

Permission must be sought because the hotel, which dates back to 1864, is a listed building and false ceilings would need to be built in rooms to cover the air conditioning pipe network.

The remaining 135 rooms already have heating and cooling units.

General manager Andrew Coggings said: "We are still discussing our plans at the moment but we want to know that if we decide to go ahead with the refurbishment that we have all the permissions in place."

He said management staff and planners had been preparing for a "hard and soft refurbishment" which would cost "a few million" pounds for several months. He said this meant a comprehensive top-to-bottom revamp to replace everything in the bedrooms from beds and furniture to the bathroom suites and soft furnishings such as carpets and curtains.

He said they hoped to complete the plans within the next three months.

The city's planning committee is expected to decide whether to grant planning permission for the air condition units by mid-February.

Friday, January 6, 2005