Karis News

More than 80% of businesses owners/managers surveyed in Hove support the King Alfred redevelopment. 112 letters of support have been sent from local businesses to the Council urging the Authority to approve the plans as soon as possible. The business state that Hove needs the redevelopment and assert that the proposals will regenerate and uplift the area.

The businesses in Church Road, Hove Street and along the Kingsway are all in close proximity to the King Alfred/RNR site.

Michele Welter-Salah, owner of Texas Pizza in Victoria Terrace, said:

“The King Alfred site sets a very poor impression to anyone visiting the area. Hove has little to offer when compared to Brighton and as a local business, employing local people I believe the King Alfred redevelopment will not only boost the local economy, it will breathe new life into this rundown area. Brighton and Hove is a cosmopolitan city that attracts people from around the world, just look at the number of students who stay in city and who add to the local economy at all levels. It is vital that Brighton and Hove moves forward and looks to the future, the King Alfred proposals are a fantastic opportunity for the city and I hope the city agrees the plans as soon as possible.”

David Smale, owner of Coriander in Hove Street, said:

“This is an exciting, 21st century project. Hove desperately needs a new sports centre and Frank Gehry’s exceptional design will undoubtedly entice people into the building and encourage them to try a new activity or sport. We need this investment for the health of residents, particularly our children, we need the affordable homes for local people and we need this boost to the local economy.”

Jon Orrell founding partner and Managing Director of Hemsley Orrell Partnership (HOP) Consulting Civil Engineers, based in Church Road, Hove said:

“I am delighted that the internationally famous Frank Gehry has chosen Brighton and Hove for this exciting world-class scheme. The development is absolutely essential for business and the community; we need the housing, we need the facilities and we need this magnet for visitors. This is not just beneficial to the Hove area, it’s an absolute must, which will provide a much needed boost to the local economy both in the short term and in the much longer term.

“The Pavilion and Brighton Pier were controversial when first proposed, they are now the icons of our city and I hope the Council will show the vision of our forebears and embrace this opportunity, which will establish Brighton and Hove as a major international resort just as Gehry’s work has done in cities around the world.”

Karis MD Josh Arghiros said:

“This is a ringing endorsement from the local business community. Local businesses mostly employ local people and this demonstrates that the majority of people living and working in Hove support the King Alfred plans and want to see the development become a reality as soon as possible. We welcome this support and will continue to work with local businesses and Hove Business Association to ensure that the economic benefits and opportunities are realized.”

A total of 138 Hove business owners/managers were surveyed.

112 businesses have written letters of support 81.16%

19 businesses declined to support 13.77%

7 businesses were undecided 5.07%

Following the publishing of elements of the District Valuer’s report, which was commissioned by the local planning authority to give an independent assessment of the financial viability of the King Alfred project, Karis has reaffirmed the viability of the scheme.

The summary report was founded on figures supplied by Karis but utilized a general guide on building costs published by the Building Cost Information Service to estimate the construction costs. Karis meanwhile has taken more detailed costings produced by a team at Davis Langdon, the UK’s largest cost consultancy, who have been working for two years on the scheme and have the advantage of latest detailed ‘Stage D’ design drawings. These figures are more robust and confirm the project is profitable.

Commenting on the report’s findings Josh Arghiros, Karis MD, said: “We welcome the District Valuer’s report as it highlights sensitivities in the construction costings which are helpful to our own projections. However, with the UK’s leading firm of cost consultants as part of the development team providing in-depth professional advice, we are confident we have a viable project with enormous benefits for Brighton & Hove.”

The District Valuer’s report does conclude that Brighton and Hove is receiving a very favourable package of benefits, including:

* ‘Flagship’ leisure facilities for the community

* A landmark development constructed to a very high specification and complying with sustainability and high energy efficiency requirements

* 280 affordable homes constructed to a similarly high specification

* New public realm

* Potential share of profitability over a certain level of profit on costs

Commenting further Josh Arghiros said: “We have spent two years working with Brighton and Hove City Council to build a viable project that will meet all the City’s requirements for this site. We have signed a Development Agreement with the Council that has been endorsed by Councillors at two Policy and Resources committee meetings, which ensures that the development will secure more community benefits for Brighton and Hove than any other scheme proposed for the City has ever done. This also proves that allegations of extortionate profits from the project are completely unfounded and highlights that any increase in profitability will be shared with the City.

We are confident that we are on track to deliver an outstanding development.”