A revamped Brighton Centre is worth at least £100 million a year to the city.

Tourism bosses have revealed that holiday-makers and day-trippers will bring about £900m into Brighton and Hove by 2018.

They add this will be pushed above the £1billion mark when the much-discussed conference building is given a revamp.

Business leaders say the revelation was a sign businesses and traders needed the redevelopment on the seafront to cash in on the lucrative trade.

The figure features in a report by Adam Bates, head of VisitBrighton, which will be discussed by the council’s tourism overview and scrutiny committee next week.

Discussions about the £400m redevelopment of the Brighton Centre and the surrounding area have been ongoing for more than three years.

In April 2007 the local authority appointed Make Architects to design a replacement for the venue, which was built in 1977.

In February The Argus reported the project, which will be funded by the local authority and Standard Life, is not likely to start until 2015.

Bookings for events and conferences are still being taken for up to 2012.

A spokesman for the council confirmed the local authority and the finance firm were in regular contact.

He added: “No council could build such a large and costly project on its own. That means working with the private sector at a time of uncertainly in the property market.

“Standard Life is looking at potential timescales but aren’t yet at the stage where they can announce any.

“In the meantime the current Brighton Centre is doing very well with shows and conferences.”