During WWII The Grand Brighton was requisitioned by the MOD for the war effort. The hotel closed its doors in May 1940 and was handed back in the autumn of 1945.


Airmen from Australia were billeted to the hotel and perhaps due to drunkenness, high spirits or simple resentment, caused widespread destruction and vandalism. During this time the stairwell was slung with heavy wire netting to stop soldiers throwing themselves or their ‘mates’ over the balustrades. Prior to this time a number were known to have fallen over 100 feet to their death. There is still evidence of the soldiers occupation with graffiti scratched into the original marble pillars dated 1943.  See if you can find them.