Whitbread has reached a major construction milestone at its new Premier Inn in central Brighton, with the structural frame of the 187-room hotel now complete.
The property, which will operate as Premier Inn Brighton City Centre (Seafront), is being developed on West Street and is expected to open in early 2028. It will become Premier Inn’s second hotel in Brighton city centre.
Representatives from Whitbread and principal contractor Gilbert Ash marked the topping-out milestone on August 25 at the highest point of the building.
“It is always a proud moment topping out a new Premier Inn hotel, and it is especially significant at a location as prominent as West Street in Brighton,” said Simon Lancaster, Head of Construction for Whitbread in London and the South.
“Completing the frame brings us another step closer to delivering a flagship new Premier Inn for the city, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication, expertise and hard work in reaching this stage.”
187 Rooms Planned for Central Brighton
The new hotel will feature a mix of Premier Inn’s latest-generation standard bedrooms and upgraded Premier Plus rooms.
An integrated restaurant will occupy part of the ground floor, adding an on-site food and beverage option for hotel guests.
The location places visitors within a short walk of Brighton’s seafront and several of the city’s main attractions and shopping areas. Whitbread said many key destinations will be accessible within approximately 10 minutes on foot.
The development forms part of the company’s strategy to expand Premier Inn in UK city centres where demand for accommodation remains strong.
“Brighton West Street demonstrates the capability of Whitbread to continue to grow Premier Inn in some brilliant but complex city-centre locations,” Lancaster added.
“It reflects the deep experience we bring to development projects and the depth of our relationships with Gilbert Ash. The hotel will occupy one of Brighton’s historic hospitality locations and will become an important addition to both the Premier Inn network and the city’s visitor economy when it opens.”
Former Nightclub Site Given New Long-Term Use
Construction began in October 2025 after Whitbread acquired the site from a private developer.
The project is redeveloping a former nightclub site with a long history as a hospitality and entertainment location in central Brighton.
Once operational, the hotel is expected to create around 40 hospitality jobs.
Whitbread already operates a Premier Inn on North Street in Brighton city centre, as well as a broader network of properties along England’s South Coast.
Across the UK and Ireland, the company currently operates more than 840 hotels with approximately 86,000 rooms.
The West Street property is scheduled to welcome its first guests in early 2028.
