Guests were forced to leave their rooms after bailiffs entered and repossessed a city centre hotel.

Bailiffs entered the Britannia Study Hotel, on Western Road in Brighton, on April 22. They reclaimed the property on behalf of its landlords, TCA Investments Limited.

A source told The Argus that everyone in the hotel was forced to leave the building while they carried out their business.

A TCA Investments spokesperson confirmed that all occupants had to leave as a ‘legal requirement’ while they took over the building.

They were directed by staff to Caffè Nero nearby and provided with “assurances, information needed and refreshments arranged”, they said, adding that it went “smoothly”.

The Britannia Study Hotel accommodates a mixture of hotel guests, students, and long-term tenants.

The TCA spokesperson said it would be rebranding the hotel and had no intention of evicting any occupants.

A notice now visible in the hotel’s window says that a lease signed in 2014 between TCA Investments Limited and Britannia Student Services Limited has been forfeited.

Bailiffs and guests outside the hotel on Wednesday (Image: Supplied)

Multiple people have contacted The Argus about what happened.

A woman called Nico said that two of her friends had been told to leave their rooms whilst staying at the hotel on Wednesday.

“Two friends of mine were in Brighton to attend an awards ceremony”, Nico said. “There were 23 rooms booked in total, for the event.

“On Wednesday morning my friends received a knock on the door, from bailiffs, telling them that every guest had to exit the hotel immediately: the hotel had been repossessed.

“They were told that they could return in ten minutes, which subsequently became two hours, and then ‘later on in the afternoon’. They were assured that all live bookings would be honoured.

“Thankfully they were able to return in the late afternoon and stay overnight, as promised.”

The hotel houses a mixture of guests, students, and residents (Image: The Argus)

A hotel employee told The Argus that staff had been kept on, and that business had continued as usual at the hotel, with no services affected.

The forfeiture and repossession are documented in two notices visible in the front window of the building.

One notice reads: “The operation of the Britannia Hotel at Mitre House, Western Road, Brighton, has been taken over by TCA Investments Ltd with effect from April 22, 2026.

“We are here to assist in ensuring the changeover goes as smoothly as possible.”

It goes on to say that all future payments should now be directed to TCA Investments, with bank details included.

Two notices were posted in the hotel’s front window (Image: The Argus)

The second notice, also dated April 22, adds that: “The landlord, TCA Investments Limited, has this day re-entered these premises of Mitre House, Western Road, Brighton.

“The landlord is entitled to repossess the Premises and has now exercised their right in accordance with Clause 6.1 of the lease dated 8th August 2014 between (1) TCA Investments Limited and (2) Britannia Student Services Limited.

“Any person who attempts to enter these premises without express permission of the landlord may be liable to civil and/or criminal proceedings being brought against them.”

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Britannia Student Services Limited is still registered as an active business on Companies House.

The hotel, housed within the Art Deco Mitre House, is popular with international students attending Brighton’s language schools. It is currently listed as open for bookings on several travel platforms, including on Britannia Student Services’ own website.

Quraish Adamally, speaking on behalf of TCA Investments Ltd, gave the following statement to The Argus:

“TCA Investment Ltd on April 22, 2026, took possession of the building by forfeiting the lease held by Britannia Student Services.

“The intention of the new operator on behalf of the landlord is to continue to operate the hotel under new management, rebranded as The Mitre Hotel Brighton.

“We can assure all that we have no intention to evict any occupiers.

“It was a legal requirement during the repossession that all occupiers were asked to temporarily leave the premises to ensure the officers were able to peacefully take possession of the property.

“During this time, we had our staff members direct all occupants to Caffè Nero, provide them with assurances, information needed and refreshments arranged.

“They were all allowed back into the hotel immediately after.

“We are currently working with Britannia Student Services, booking platforms and the council to ensure this change is as smooth as possible to minimise any inconvenience to third parties.

“We would like to thank everyone involved and are pleased it went so smoothly.”

Britannia Student Services Limited have been contacted for comment.