Cash pledge to kickstart Madeira Terrace renovation

The arches at the Grade II-listed terrace have been closed to the public since 2012

Historic England has pledged £750,000 to "kickstart" the long-awaited restoration of Brighton's seafront landmark Madeira Terrace.

Brighton and Hove City Council is leading a multimillion-pound project which will see 28 arches restored on the longest continuous cast iron structure in Britain.

The arches at the Grade II-listed 865m (2,837ft) terrace have been closed to the public since 2012 because they were deemed unsafe.

Phase one of the project will see 28 of the 151 ornate arches and bays restored and a new accessible lift installed. The start date is expected to be announced later this month.

Madeira Terrace’s decorative ironwork features marine-inspired details including the faces of Poseidon and Aphrodite as keystones of the arches

Madeira Terrace is currently on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register, which raises awareness of the challenges facing some of the country's most significant places and focuses efforts to safeguard them for the future.

Tom Foxall, regional director at 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 and Hove.”

In 2017 a crowdfunding campaign raised £440,000 in funds towards the restoration.

An extra £3m was committed by the council in August this year.

'Back to its former glory'

Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: “The restoration of Madeira Terrace is hugely important, not just for protecting our unique heritage, but for breathing new life into the east of the seafront.

"Historic England’s support is a crucial step in bringing this much-loved landmark back to its former glory and a welcome sign of confidence in Brighton.

“I, like many in our city, have watched the terraces deteriorate over time with great sadness.”

Council leader Bella Sankey added that the council wants to proceed with the restoration "as soon as possible".