The leasehold for Brighton’s historic Milkmaid Pavilion, situated on the promenade, has been acquired by the City Pub Company.
Owned by Brighton & Hove City Council, the premises was originally built as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951.
The Colasurdo family had owned the building’s lease since 1996. Situated next to British Airways’ i360, the premises has traded as Alfresco restaurant, providing authentic Italian cuisine all year round and catering for around 130 events annually.
Over time, the building has been upgraded, and in 2000 the Colasurdos added a fully glazed Art Deco-style restaurant on the upper level, together with extensive outside seating areas to both wings.
A spokesperson from the Colasurdo family commented, “Having worked hard for many years creating this landmark restaurant we are looking forward to a well-earned rest. We are sure the City Pub Company will have many years of success here.”
The leasehold has been sold to the City Pub Co, a group of individual pubs across the southern half of England and Wales, founded in 2011. The transaction was brokered by leisure property specialists Fleurets, and the leasehold sold for an undisclosed sum.
Clive Watson, Chairman of City Pub Company, commented, “Alfresco is a landmark site on Brighton’s seafront, which superbly complements our two existing pubs within Brighton. We are delighted to have acquired such a well-known and prominent site, as we continue the expansion of City Pub Group”.
Kate Dowd of Fleurets added, “We are delighted to have secured the sale of this iconic seafront restaurant, on behalf of our clients, in an off-market and confidential transaction, ensuring that their summer trade, events and weddings have been unaffected and its future secured.”
