Brighton’s creative business community faces major change as New England House goes up for sale
Brighton’s business community is facing a major change after the council moved ahead with plans to sell New England House, a landmark building that was once home to more than 100 businesses and hundreds of workers.
The New England Street building has played an important role in Brighton’s creative and digital economy for years, providing affordable workspace for companies across the city.
More than 700 workers have been affected by the closure after the building was emptied following a fire safety assessment.
Brighton & Hove City Council has now agreed to proceed with the sale as part of a wider plan to raise £55 million and reduce its ongoing costs. The council previously considered refurbishing or replacing the building, but estimates put the potential cost at between £67 million and £97 million.
Businesses forced to find new premises
The closure has created a significant challenge for businesses that relied on New England House for workspace.
The building was particularly associated with Brighton’s creative industries, including digital businesses, designers, makers and other small companies.
Former tenants have argued that losing the building could make it harder for smaller creative firms to find suitable and affordable premises in the city.
A group of former tenants and creative-sector figures had launched an effort to have New England House recognised as an asset of community value, with the possibility of developing a community-led future for the building.
That application was rejected by the council in July, meaning the authority can continue with its plans to sell the property.
New workspace planned elsewhere in Brighton
The council says it is trying to provide alternative workspace for businesses affected by the changes.
More than 30,000 square feet of vacant office space in Phoenix House in West Street and Lyndean House in Queens Road is being made available as part of its plans for the city's creative economy.
The changes come as Brighton's wider commercial property market continues to evolve.
Research from Knight Frank found that 58,778 square feet of office space was taken up in Brighton during 2025, broadly unchanged from the previous year. Demand has increasingly focused on higher-quality office space, with Grade A premises accounting for 43% of take-up.
What does it mean for Brighton businesses?
The future of New England House is likely to remain an important issue for Brighton's business community.
The building was once described as a potential centrepiece for the city's creative-tech cluster, and its loss has prompted concerns about whether Brighton will continue to have enough affordable workspace for growing small businesses.
At the same time, the council argues that selling the building and making other premises available will help manage its finances while creating opportunities for new investment.
For Brighton's entrepreneurs and creative businesses, the key question will be whether the replacement workspace can provide the affordability, flexibility and facilities that made New England House attractive in the first place.
With the property now set to be sold, the decision could shape the city's business landscape for years to come.
