Brighton i360 to open in March - Dragon's Den star

Former Dragon's Den businesswoman Sarah Willingham has said the Brighton i360 could reopen at the beginning of March.

The founder and CEO of hospitality group Nightcap Limited has signed a 115-year deal with Brighton & Hove City Council to run the tower and site for an undisclosed fee.

The council wiped off £51m in debt to secure the sale after the tourist attraction closed down in November.

Brighton resident Ms Willingham told BBC Radio Sussex it would take about 28 days to get the tower going "up and down again".

She said: "It may be we can even get it done sooner.

"What we are being told is the minimum amount of time in terms of just getting the engine, the mechanics of it up and running and commissioned.

"That would take us to the beginning of March."

Ms Willingham - who was in the BBC Two show Dragon's Den in 2015 and 2016 - says she will be refurbishing the tourist attraction even after opening.

She added: "We will just keep opening piecemeal - a bit at a time."

Ms Willingham hinted the 531ft (162m) tower - where adult tickets previously cost £18.50 - may become more affordable.

She said: "I am adamant that this whole area will be used by locals, by my friends and locals that live here, [and] that pricing is done right."

The Nightcap Ltd CEO says she wants to turn the bars and cafes at the site into a "hub" for Brighton residents and tourists alike.

The deal will see 1% of i360 tower ticket sales revenue go to Brighton & Hove City Council.

She said the council is "open" to the Nightcap's input on how they spend the 1% revenue.

Deputy council leader Jacob Taylor said despite historic issues, the purchase was "good news" for local businesses.

He said: "You've got a huge structure, a huge attraction on the sea front. It is now going to be back operating, bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors per year, helping those businesses."

Sian Berry, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "This is great news for the local business owners who I know were worried about the potential for total demolition that was being discussed by some in the council, and I am excited to talk with the new owners about how we build up the positivity about this crucial area of our seafront.

"As things progress, it's important that the council is transparent about the sale and residents get full sight of the details, including the proportion of revenue the city will receive."

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