The grant will help to pay for a major refurbishment of the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and the Studio Theatre. The project forms the first phase of an ambitious regeneration of the Royal Pavilion Estate to create a world-class cultural destination for heritage, culture and the performing arts in the heart of the city.

The £4.99m HLF grant, which includes £176,500 awarded at the development stage, comes on top of £5.8m pledged by Arts Council England, along with money from the city council, charitable trusts and individual patrons. Together this now secures 66 per cent of the funding required for the project.

Refurbishment and essential conservation work will secure the future of the Corn Exchange, a Grade I listed building, and the Grade ll listed Studio Theatre. Breathtaking and previously hidden heritage spaces will be restored for public viewing, and a new interpretation strategy and activity plan for the Estate will be developed to reveal inspirational stories, unfold layers of history, thought and knowledge and help more people learn, understand and care about the Estate and its history.

Work is due to start in the autumn of this year.

Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Councillor Warren Morgan, said: “We are delighted that the bid for National Lottery funding for this important project has been successful. It marks a major step forward in our joint plans to transform these unique historic assets, to enable more local people and visitors from around the world to enjoy them, and secure the future of the entire estate, which includes the Royal Pavilion, for generations to come.”

Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival Chief Executive, Andrew Comben, said: “We are delighted that HLF has confirmed its significant support for this major redevelopment project. This is tremendous news.

"It is a fantastic endorsement of our vision and – alongside major contributions from Arts Council England, other charitable trusts and individual donors – creates a really strong foundation with which to launch our public appeal in the coming months.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we’re delighted to support this first crucial step towards the regeneration of Brighton’s cultural heart and securing the future of two of the city’s historic listed buildings.”   

Royal Pavilion Estate

Combining a historic royal palace and Regency garden, a museum, art gallery and three performing arts spaces, the Royal Pavilion Estate is the city of Brighton and Hove’s cultural heart and the Royal Pavilion its internationally recognised emblem. Its magnificence, boldness of design and daring experimentation with form helped establish Brighton’s reputation two centuries ago.

A symbol of Brighton’s unique eccentricity, the Estate is cherished by local people and is a destination for millions of visitors each year. But it can only be maintained for future generations with ongoing care and support and the city’s cultural, creative and economic future depends on a plan that makes it possible for the Estate to live up to its potential as a world-class cultural destination for heritage, culture and the performing arts.

The ambitious project will reconnect and revitalise the historic buildings and gardens as one. It will encourage new audiences, support artist development and transform visitors’ experience of the venues. It will deliver improvements in accessibility, facilities and infrastructure, and will benefit local residents, community groups, schools, artists, tourists, the regional digital community and local businesses amongst others.

The project will be delivered by two of the UK’s leading cultural and heritage organisations, Royal Pavilion and Museums and Brighton Dome and Festival, which manage and care for the Royal Pavilion Estate owned by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Notes to editors

• Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival manage a year-round programme of arts at Brighton Dome – a three-space, Grade 1 listed building made up of the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre - and produces the annual Brighton Festival in May. With a rich history spanning over 200 years (starting life as the Prince Regent's stables and riding house), Brighton Dome provides an extraordinary space in which to bring the arts alive. A hub for artists across the region, Brighton Dome commissions and supports both emerging and established artists and companies, enabling them to develop, take risks and deliver work of the highest quality. It aims to champion the power of the arts, to enrich and change lives, and to inspire and enable artists to be their most creative
   
• Royal Pavilion and Museums is one of the largest museum services in the south east. It is responsible for Brighton and Hove City Council’s historic buildings open to the public – The Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Hove Museum, Preston Manor and the Booth Museum of Natural History - as well as nationally and internationally significant collections, diverse temporary, exhibitions and acclaimed learning and community engagement programmes

Further information

Brighton and Hove City Council Press Office, on tel: 01273 293033 or via email: press@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival Press Office: Emma Robertson, Head of Press and PR, on tel: 01273 260803, mobile: 07813 521104 and via email: emma.robertson@brightondome.org