Historic museum closing for 5 weeks for roof repairs

The museum will be closed until 12 September whilst roof repairs are carried out

A popular Grade II* listed tourist attraction in East Sussex will close for five weeks for "essential restoration work".

The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery will close on 5 August and reopen on 12 September following repairs to its roof.

A structural survey in 2019 found the building, one of the first purpose-built museums in the UK, needs urgent repairs.

A museum spokesperson said repairs to the 220-year-old building will "bring it up to 21st Century standards".

The work will be largely funded by a grant of almost £1.5m from the Arts Council.

Brighton & Hove City Council is also providing £500,000 towards the project.

Hedley Swain, chief executive of Brighton & Hove Museums, said: “We’re sorry the museum will close during this period as we know visitors will be disappointed.

"The work on the roof is essential to protect visitors and staff, our collections and the building.

"It needs to be carried out at a time when the weather is expected to be dry, to reduce the risk of water damage."

Objects have been removed from the 20th Century Gallery before the roof repairs

Two of the museum's galleries - the 20th Century Gallery and Mr Willett’s Popular Pottery Gallery - will remain closed until the building restoration project is totally completed by mid-2025.

Work will include replicating the original Georgian lighting scheme which made use of light wells and sun pipes "which will mean the whole gallery will be lit by daylight reducing energy costs", a museum spokesperson said.

Upgrades and repairs to the two large, glazed roof roofs will include improved ventilation and insulation to improve carbon performance.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.