A beloved seafront nightclub in Brighton, Legends, is facing a potential closure after its business rates bill is set to more than double following the government’s 2026 revaluation. The venue, a staple of the city’s nightlife for over three decades, fears the significant increase will make trading impossible.
Key takeaways
- Legends, operating for over 30 years, faces a 153% increase in its rateable value, from £124,500 to £315,000.
- The annual business rates bill could rise from approximately £41,000 to around £95,000, even with transitional relief.
- Owner Erica Hann states the increase is "simply unaffordable" and will force viable businesses to close.
- The venue employs over 45 local people and is a significant part of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community.
Business rates hike spells trouble
Legends, a long-standing venue in Kemp Town, Brighton, has seen its rateable value skyrocket by 153%, jumping from £124,500 to £315,000. With the announced 2026 business rates multiplier of 0.43p, the club is now looking at an annual bill of £135,450. Even with transitional relief measures, the payable amount is estimated to be around £95,000 per year, a stark contrast to the current £41,000.
Erica Hann, the owner of Legends, described the increase as "simply unaffordable" and warned that well-run businesses are being pushed to the brink. She emphasised that the rise is a "paper exercise" disconnected from the venue’s actual trading performance.
"No venue, however well run, can absorb an increase of this scale. If this goes ahead, viable businesses will close," Hann stated.
Impact on employment and community
Legends is more than just a business; it’s a significant employer, providing jobs for over 45 local individuals. It holds a special place in Brighton’s nightlife and is particularly cherished within the city’s LGBTQ+ scene. Hann highlighted the venue’s 30-year contribution to Brighton’s economy and community.
"We survived the pandemic, but this feels different. This is a government decision that makes trading impossible," she added.
Cumulative financial pressures
The business rates revaluation comes on top of existing financial pressures, including rising wages, increased energy bills, higher employers’ National Insurance contributions, and alcohol duty.
Hann also criticised the continued reliance on the Fair Maintainable Trade system for valuing venues. This method, she argued, is based on assumed earning potential rather than actual trading conditions, consistently overvaluing establishments, especially in seasonal and labour-intensive cities like Brighton.
Call for government intervention
In response, the owner has written to Chris Ward MP, urging him to raise the issue with ministers and support calls to cancel the April 2026 revaluation. Hann stressed the importance of venues like Legends, describing them as "employers, community spaces and part of what makes Brighton Brighton."
Chris Ward MP confirmed he has already raised the matter with the Government, acknowledging the challenges faced by pubs and bars in the local economy. He stated his commitment to continuing discussions with the Government, who are providing £4 billion in transitional support for the new business rates scheme.
