The Marine Hotel in Brighton has closed blaming Covid, council and neighbours

The historic Marine Hotel in Brighton has shut down after 167 years, blaming neighbours, the pandemic, and council regulations for the closure.

The Marine hotel, an icon in Bayside. Picture: Richard Serong

An iconic Brighton drinking spot has announced it’s shock closure, blaming disputes with neighbours, council red tape, and the rising cost of living as the reasons behind the end of the venue.

The Marine Hotel in Brighton has been serving up brews to customers since it first opened in 1856, however in a shock social media post on Monday the business owners said the well-known watering hole was closing its doors.

Marine Hotel, Brighton. Picture: Supplied

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of the Marine Hotel as of today,” the Marine Hotel Brighton social post read.

“Unfortunately in the face of continual neighbour complaints, ongoing council challenges and escalating costs led by extraordinary rent increases, we’ve had to make the tough decision to end our tenure.”

The hotel, which has changed hands many times during its 167-year history has been known to serve up good beer, great times, pokie machine controversies and great parmas.

Pies’ Nathan Murphy and Brayden Maynard eating parmas at The Marine Hotel. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The hotel was auctioned off in 2016 for $13 million, with three main bidders vying for the right to buy the New St pub, which sits on 4730sq m of prime land.

Yet, the new owners continued operating it as a pub, much to the delight of locals.

It was renovated and reopened for business during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with its website boasting “a spectacular glass ceiling … (and) a whole new spacious layout”.

However, the latest closure could signal the end of the institution, with no indication of what the future holds for the hotel.

The surprise move has left promotional material for upcoming Father’s Day bookings still on the hotel’s Instagram page, and its booking system remains online.

“The Marine has been eternally grateful for the incredible support over the last two years from the local Bayside community,” the Instagram post said.