Brighton & Hove City Council has agreed to redevelop the New England House site in partnership with project stakeholders and local businesses in Brighton, East Sussex, UK.

Brighton & Hove City Council is taking the first formal steps toward deciding the future of New England House, a landmark office building in New England Street that has long been home to the city's creative, digital and technology businesses. A report being presented to the council's cabinet asks members to begin exploring redevelopment options for the site after serious fire safety problems made the building unsuitable for long-term occupation. 

The building has been at the centre of controversy since November 2024, when inspectors identified more than 1,000 "intolerable" fire safety defects. The council temporarily closed the premises as an emergency measure, forcing around 100 businesses to suspend operations while urgent safety measures were introduced. Although tenants were later allowed back under strict conditions, the council concluded that the scale of the required repairs means the building cannot remain occupied during major works. 

Council officers have examined several long-term options, including a major refurbishment of the existing building or complete redevelopment of the site. The authority says redevelopment could provide modern, safer and more sustainable business accommodation while making better use of the land. Cabinet members are now being asked to begin the process of securing vacant possession of the building, so detailed proposals can be developed. 

The council has acknowledged that relocating tenants will be challenging because New England House has served as one of Brighton's most important hubs for creative and digital industries for decades. It has pledged to support affected businesses in finding alternative premises and says existing tenants will be offered first refusal to return if a refurbished or redeveloped building is completed. Officials also recognise the shortage of affordable workspace in the city, making relocation particularly difficult for many small businesses. A final decision on whether to refurbish or completely redevelop New England House will be made after further technical, financial and planning assessments. The redevelopment forms part of the council's wider regeneration ambitions for the New England Quarter, intending to create a safer, more sustainable commercial space that continues to contribute to Brighton's economy while addressing the building's long-standing structural and fire safety issues.