Sarah Willingham, former dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, purchases Brighton’s beleaguered tourist attraction the i360

Sarah Willingham, former dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, has purchased Brighton’s beleaguered tourist attraction the i360

Entrepreneur Willingham, whose company Nightcap “was created to acquire and organically grow hospitality brands and venues that create vibrant, unforgettable guest experiences by bringing people together to share and connect”, lives in Brighton and appeared on the BBC programme between 2015 – 2016.

In December 2024, Brighton & Hove City Council announced that Brighton i-360 Limited was entering into administration, leaving the council millions of pounds out of pocket.

On Thursday, January 23, city councillors agreed to write off the £51million debt and rolled-up interest to encourage interest from a potential buyer.

Writing on Instagram: Willingham said: “Well, this is exciting! So happy to welcome the i360 to the Nightcap family.

“I pass this iconic landmark every day, I can see it from my bedroom window and was as disappointed as everyone else when it went into administration and no buyer was found. The impact of its closure would have been catastrophic to our local businesses and an enormous blow to this important part of the Brighton seafront.

“The council agreeing to write off their debt is double edged for us locals. I support the move for a local investigation, but I am relieved that they want to see this area thrive and have not allowed it to remain closed. We will work hard and invest heavily to make it the success that it was always meant to be. We will need the support of our tight knit local community in Brighton & Hove.

“After a tough year in hospitality I am delighted to start the new year by adding such a fantastic venue to the Nightcap group. As we continue to grow, our priority remains creating memorable venues where people want to come together, have fun, laugh, celebrate and make lasting memories.”