End of the 20th Century

From the mid fifties, Brighton typified the British seaside with its fish and chip lunches, candyfloss and clairvoyants. By the eighties it had become fairly run down and seedy as a leisure destination.

On the bright side, the opening of the Brighton Centre in 1977 put it on the map as an international conference destination. The Centre was one of the first conference centres on the south coast and was able to attract large party political conferences.

Hove retained its identity as a genteel, wealthy town that attracted a quieter kind of holiday maker. Hove Lawns and a variety of seafront hotels, the King Alfred sports centre and Hove band stand were just some of the attractions

• 1977 Brighton Centre opens.
• 1984 The Grand Hotel is bombed during the Conservative Government's party conference.
• 1991 Restoration of the Royal Pavilion completed after 10 years at a cost of £10 million.
• 1997 Brighton and Hove officially merge and the towns become a unitary authority.