Royal Albion Hotel fire - 21 July update
There have been further fires and additional collapses which are delaying the demolition process at the Royal Albion Hotel.
The situation is constantly changing which is making it difficult to assess how long demolition will take.
Our priority continues to be safety.
Access
Royal Albion Hotel guests who need to collect their belongings should email royalalbionproperty@britanniahotels.com or call the hotel to confirm their details and arrange a pick-up time.
Unfortunately, the properties directly behind the Royal Albion Hotel will also remain inaccessible.
If nearby residents displaced by the fire need advice on accommodation, please get in touch with our housing team by emailing housing.advice@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 294 400 (option 1).
For residents who are displaced but not in housing need we are still assessing the building. Unfortunately, there is unlikely to be any access to York House or Lace House for at least 4 weeks.
Thank you to our residents, visitors and businesses for their patience and understanding while this important work takes place.
Demolition
To ensure the building is structurally safe, demolition of the damaged section of the building must take place.
This work will be noisy but we will work hard to ensure this takes place as swiftly and as safely as possible and minimise disruption to neighbouring properties and roads.
Barriers have been placed around the hotel to ensure a safe perimeter. Our on-site contractor will use a water suppression system during the works to minimise any dust that may be present and will continually assess the risk.
If residents or businesses in the area notice any dust or smoke in the air, please keep windows and doors closed.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will continue to make regular visits to check on the structure and security will remain on site throughout.
If anyone sees excessive smoke or flames coming from the building, please contact the fire service on 999.
Businesses outside of the exclusion zone can reopen but we would advise that they carry out their own risk assessments to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue has served a prohibition notice on the hotel as there is no electricity in the building and the smoke alarms and emergency lighting are not functioning.
Diversions
We’re asking people to continue to avoid the area and road diversions remain in place.
Part of Kings Road (A259) between the Aquarium roundabout and East Street, as well as most of Pool Valley, has been fenced off due to the risk of falling debris during the demolition process.
Madeira Drive and the Aquarium roundabout remain open.
Pool Valley and part of the A259 is expected to remain closed for the next 3 weeks. We hope to open the A259 westbound next week.
Diversions will be in place and traffic should use alternative routes such as the A270 to avoid the area as much as possible. Diversion route signage will be installed.
The National Express bus service can be accessed from the nearby stop at the Old Steine (stop Z).
Heartfelt thanks
Council Leader, Councillor Bella Sankey, said: "My heartfelt thanks continues to go to everyone working hard to respond to the aftermath of this terrible fire.
"I'm sorry that the demolition and road closures will cause noise and travel disruption. This essential work needs to take place to ensure public safety.
"'I want to thank residents, visitors and businesses for their patience while we work to demolish the building. The teams involved are working hard to complete this work as quickly as possible and minimise disruption.
“If nearby residents displaced by the fire need advice on accommodation, please get in touch with our housing team by emailing housing.advice@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 294 400 (option 1).”