Popular seaside town reveals £750k plans to restore pretty Victorian promenade – that’s been closed for 12 years
ONE of the UK’s most popular seaside destinations has revealed multi-million-pound plans to renovate its waterfront.
Part of the huge project will see Madeira Terrace, in the popular seaside town of Brighton, renovated.
Sections of Madeira Terrace have been closed for 12 years because the structure was deemed unsafe for visitors.
Madeira Terrace is an 865m-long stretch of seafront arches, with the Grade II* listed structure soon benefitting from a huge overhaul thanks to £750,000 worth of funding from Historic England.
Historic England‘s grant will help to start the renovation project.
The first phase of the project will see 28 of its 151 ornate arches and bays restored.
A new fully accessible lift will also be installed, with construction work slated to start later this month.
Madeira Terrace was originally built between 1890 and 1897, during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Designed by Philip C Lockwood, the Victorian terrace was used as a place for locals and holidaymakers to take in sea views.
The covered walkway had a shelter hall and a three-stage lift tower and is thought to be the longest continuous cast-iron structure in the UK.
Renovations to Madeira Promenade are part of a multi-million-pound project that aims to develop the seafront around the Brighton Centre.
The Brighton Centre is a conference and exhibition space where bands like The Jacksons, The Who, Queen and Bob Marley and The Wailers all played.
Brighton’s Waterfront Project will extend Churchill Square shopping centre and provide a new replacement conference centre and entertainment venue in the city.
Tom Foxall, Regional Director of Historic England said: “The restoration of Madeira Terrace is an ambitious undertaking but one that is needed to secure the future of this extraordinary structure for the people of Brighton & Hove.
“This essential funding will assist in de-risking the initial stages of the project.
“We fully support the council’s repair strategy and look forward to work beginning on site imminently.”
It’s not the only renovation project underway in Brighton and Hove, with plans to extend the city’s beach.
Planning applications were submitted earlier this year to widen the beach in Hove.
Fears of flooding and erosion across Brighton and Hove led to the new plans.
The extension would see a new groyne field – a shore protection structure – built on the beach, if given the go-ahead.
The bays between each groyne would then be filled with thousands of tonnes of shingle.
The beach extension would be between King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue.
Earlier this year, a £13.7million renovation project introduced a new beach park, gardens and a sports hub in West Hove.
The Kingsway to the Sea project includes Hove Beach Park, with gardens and activity spaces.
And last month, a wheeled sports area with a skateboard plaza, biking track and rollerblading area opened.
What is it like to visit Brighton?
The Sun’s Associate Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski recently visited Brighton for a day trip.
“As we weaved our way up and down the uneven cobbles of Brighton, each twist and turn through the labyrinth revealed a new row of colourful shops with misshapen signs swinging from old doorways.
“Most of the houses here date from the 16th century, so it is no surprise that some are a bit askew, with slanted walls and roofs weathered by years of salty sea winds.
“We stayed at The Southern Belle, a characterful boutique hotel further west along the seafront.
“The brilliant thing about Brighton is that, while it may be a seaside town, it doesn’t matter if the weather takes a turn as there’s so much else to keep you busy.”
“The Rockwater Hove is the place to go for unbeatable views of the ocean and delicious fresh seafood; closer to the centre is The Salt Room, another seafront restaurant.”
And if you fancy staying at the seaside resort, The Sun’s Donna Smiley checked into Lansdowne House in Hove – here’s her verdict.
And here are some other seaside towns to add to your list to visit.