Beak Social Taproom
Brighton, 2024
Street-food market and craft beer social club, reimagining a redundant city centre site through repurposing an existing dilapidated building.
DESCRIPTION
Whaleback secured planning permission for our long-standing client Beak Brewery in 2024, to transform a former car rental warehouse into a thriving food and drink venue in the heart of the North Laines, Brighton.
The proposed street-food market and craft beer hall would retain and reuse the existing building fabric, minimising waste and embodied carbon, while introducing a new active frontage, improved public realm, and space for independent food traders and local artists. The venue can accommodate up to 250 customers, would create 13 new jobs, and reinforce Trafalgar Street’s role as a vibrant destination near the mainline train station in the North Laine Conservation Area.
CONSTRAINTS
Located within the North Laine Conservation Area.
Adjacent to Grade II listed Prince Albert Pub and close to other heritage assets.
Building of limited architectural merit, considered harmful to the conservation area in its vacant state.
Land contamination risks due to historic vehicle rental and repair use.
Situated within an Air Quality Management Area.
OPPORTUNITIES
Adaptive reuse of an existing building, reducing demolition waste and carbon impact.
Introduction of an active frontage to animate the street and enhance the conservation area.
Affordable trading spaces for local street-food businesses and artists.
Expansion of Beak Brewery’s sustainable brand and community-focused model into central Brighton.
Creation of 13 Living Wage jobs.
Strengthening of the area’s cultural and social offer alongside the adjacent Prince Albert pub and live music venue.
Improved air quality and reduced car dependency by removing the former vehicle-based use.
Contribution to the city’s evening economy and independent food and drink scene.
PROJECT TEAM
Applicant: Beak Social Club Ltd
Planning & Heritage: Whaleback
Noise Assessment: Acoustic South East
THE PHOENIX, LEWES
CUCKMERE HAVEN FLOOD DEFENCES
INGLENOOK, NYETIMBER