After a long-running saga, Charlie Southall, developer and owner of the iconic Montreal Arms pub in Albion Hill, Brighton, has finally been summonsed to court for removing its distinctive green tiles without permission – more than a year after the council‑imposed deadline to replace them lapsed.
In March 2022, Southall reportedly hired a group of friends to forcibly remove the pub’s green tiles – a key historic feature – just days after ending a related crowdfunding campaign. The Brighton & Hove City Council swiftly responded with a stop‑work order and an enforcement notice, which Southall later appealed but then abandoned.
The council had set a July 2024 deadline for tile replacement, but it was paused after Southall secured retrospective planning permission in June 2024 to restore the pub and update the flat above. He subsequently dropped an appeal against the conditions governing how the tiles should be reinstated.
This week, ward councillor Tim Rowkins confirmed that, despite appearances, significant behind‑the‑scenes discussions are now underway—and that court proceedings are imminent. Green Party activists have also been urging the council to escalate enforcement and close this case “once and for all.”
Local residents and campaigners have voiced frustration, calling the developer’s actions tantamount to vandalism, and saying they set a dangerous precedent: if allowed, it could embolden others to illegally remove heritage features from listed or protected buildings. Online comments ranged from calls to “make him pay his dues” to concerns that the city’s historic identity was being undermined.
The upcoming court appearance will determine whether Southall will be compelled to replace the tiles with accurate replicas, face criminal penalties or fines, or potentially bear costs for legal and restoration expenses.
This case underscores the importance of enforcing conservation laws to preserve Brighton’s unique architecture, signals that even well‑connected developers can be held to account, and highlights how persistent local activism—backed by community and political pressure—can prompt long-overdue action.
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