Brighton Palace Pier may be sold off, owners say

Owners of the Brighton Palace Pier say they are considering of selling the site due to declining profits

The owners of Brighton's Palace Pier say they are considering selling off the attraction blaming declining profits.

The Brighton Pier Group, which has sold several bars in London, Bristol and Reading, and owns mini golf courses and a theme park in North Yorkshire, said trading in 2025 "remained subdued with a decline in sales".

According to reports filed in Companies House, it reported a 10% drop in sales for the pier through to the end of September, compared to 2024.

A spokesperson for the group said: "After consideration, the board has concluded the potential sale of some or all of the group's remaining assets.

"It represents the most effective course of action to preserve and realise value for all stakeholders."

The group stated 2023 and 2024 had been "difficult" years for the Palace Pier, due to a decline in tourism to Brighton and poor weather over the summer period.

It added the introduction of the £1 admissions charge to non-residents "partially alleviated" the lost of sales.

The company says continued cost pressures, particularly in relation to National Living Wage, increase in National Insurance and a reduction in business rates relief have put more pressure on its operational costs.

The group has already sold its bars trading as Embargo República, Lola Lo, Le Fez and Lowlander, based in London, Bristol and Reading.

The company says its premium bars are "no longer consistent with the long-term objectives" of the group.

It adds Lightwater Valley, an adventure park near Ripon in North Yorkshire, is being "actively marketed" after being put on the market with a £3m price tag.

"The potential sale of some or all of the remaining group assets is at an early stage, and the timing is currently uncertain," the company's spokesperson added.