Brighton Palace Pier is now on the market for sale as its current owner aims to secure a buyer before summer arrives. The sale of the 127-year-old pier is being managed by Knight Frank on behalf of the Brighton Pier Group, who acquired the Grade II listed venue for £18 million in 2016.
Facing challenges with declining visitor numbers and increased expenses, Brighton Pier Group has decided to sell the renowned 1,722ft long pier. In 2024, the company’s earnings plummeted to £300,000 from £1.7 million the previous year, with a 4% decline in like-for-like sales. To counter the drop in visitors, the company implemented a £1 entry fee for non-residents, which was later raised to £2 in March the following year.
Drawing nearly four million visitors annually, Brighton Pier remains a profitable standalone business with substantial growth potential, according to Anne Ackord, the CEO of The Brighton Pier Group. She emphasized that the sale represents an opportunity to contribute to the future of this national treasure by becoming a part of its next chapter.
Reportedly, potential buyers are expected to be in place by summer, with the group seeking bids in the range of “many millions.” The pier features two arcades, 19 amusement rides, a restaurant, two bars, kiosks, event spaces, and a children’s play area, making it an attractive investment for both local and international purchasers.
Following a period of lackluster trading in 2025, Brighton Pier Group announced its intention to explore the sale of the pier and also seek buyers for its Lightwater Valley theme park in North Yorkshire for £3 million. Ackord cautioned that the city must not overlook the significance of tourism, highlighting the challenges faced due to increased costs and trading difficulties over recent years.
At Reach and its affiliated entities, data collected via cookies and other identifiers are utilized to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized advertising. Users have the option to opt out of data sharing by selecting the appropriate setting on the website. Acceptance of cookies and consent to the outlined practices in the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions are implied by using the services provided.