Brighton i360 Shuts Abruptly – Staff Left Fuming Over Unpaid Wages Just Before Christmas
The iconic Brighton i360 seafront attraction has suddenly slammed its doors shut, with staff devastated to learn they won’t get paid ahead of the festive season.
Shock Closure Announced Days Before Christmas
On Thursday, December 19, workers were hit with bombshell news that the Brighton i360 was closing due to money woes and the collapse of fresh investment talks.
An internal email seen by The Argus declared:
“Following an extremely challenging summer, it has been necessary to seek additional investment into the business… the last of the potential offers has fallen through. As such, we have no further choice but to appoint administrators.”
Administrators from Interpath Advisory were set to take over the very next day, December 20, halting all operations immediately. Staff were told to clear their desks but warned they wouldn’t receive next week’s pay.
Staff Left Angry and Heartbroken
The grim message continued:
“It is devastating to have to tell you this, and even more so at this time of year. We have worked so hard to find a positive outcome… Thank you so much for making Brighton i360 the incredible place it is.”
Workers expressed fury and heartbreak at being left hanging just before Christmas. Many now face financial hardship at the worst possible time.
£51 Million Debt and Council Bailed Out
The closure follows Brighton i360 Ltd’s November 27 insolvency filing, revealing a whopping £51 million debt owed to Brighton and Hove City Council.
The council had borrowed millions from the Government to help build the attraction, which opened in 2016. Repaying the debt has been a nightmare ever since.
That debt stacks up to nearly £180 per Brighton and Hove resident, weighing heavily on the city of 278,000 people.
Council Silent as Staff Meeting Looms
Brighton and Hove City Council has yet to comment further on the latest shock closure but has previously admitted the i360 struggled to meet repayments.
Staff are due to meet administrators on Friday, December 20, for updates and info on claiming through the Redundancy Payment Service.
The sudden shutdown marks a grim end for the ambitious Brighton i360 project, leaving workers and local taxpayers to face a cold, costly aftermath this Christmas.
