Brighton aims to welcome tourists with new artwork across city

During the trip, organised by Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance, Councillor Alan Robins saw new commissions by local artists, met business owners and enjoyed some sightseeing.

Visual improvements to welcome visitors include work at Brighton Station, which has a hand-drawn map of the city showing its most well-known landmarks displayed on one of the platforms.

The map (left) features landmarks from across the city, including the Palace Pier, with icons featured on the map appearing on one of the station's platforms, including one of North Laine (right)

Malcolm Trollope-Davis, who created it, said: “It’s great to have recognition for all the work that went into the map - it took nearly two years to do, from researching to drawing.

“It’s really nice to be a part of encouraging people back to Brighton and to be in this location particularly is a great stepping stone for me.”

A new poster has also been fixed to a previously disused building at the station, welcoming visitors with big lettering, as well as a gallery of photos taken across the city.

The Mayor (left) with Andy Gardner standing by the gallery of photos of the city on display at Brighton Station

Andy Gardner, station manager, said that visitors have been stopping to admire the photos, some of which he took himself.

He is hopeful that tourists will flock back to Brighton this summer, with passenger numbers on the rise.

“Leisure travel is significantly up, especially at the weekends, and I think it’s really buoyant in Brighton at the moment,” he said.

The new mural on Trafalgar Street, commissioned by Network Rail

A new mural commissioned by Network Rail has also brightened up Trafalgar Street next to the station, with a new performance space unveiled along the road, which the Tourism Alliance hopes will help improve the area.

Musician Sadie Horler said the space offers a perfect platform for performers, with space for visitors to sit and enjoy music.

She said: “Brighton is very good with busking and I think it is lovely that there are loads of different spaces to be creative, and it’s wonderful that more spaces are popping up.”

The Mayor with musician Sadie Horler at the new performance space in Trafalgar Street

Cllr Robins praised the efforts of the Tourism Alliance, particularly for featuring artwork from artists across the city.

He said: “There’s so much talent in Brighton and it’s great to see it highlighted.

“It’s all-important that we get people to come back and enjoy the city and all it’s got to offer.

“When you come to Brighton, you can enjoy just walking around, you can get your fill of culture and then go and get fish and chips on the pier and listen to the sea coming in.”

The commissions come ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer of events across Brighton and Hove, including the return of Pride after a two-year hiatus.

Cllr Robins expressed pleasure at seeing visitors and residents alike back out and enjoying what the city has to offer, following a difficult two years due to coronavirus restrictions.

He said: “It’s brilliant to see people back out and people enjoying the sun and the freedom they’ve got now, and not feeling like they have to be indoors or wear a mask. It’s so good to be back to normality and enjoy what we want to do.”

Anne Ackord (left), with the Mayor and Mayoress on Brighton Palace Pier

Anne Ackord, chairwoman of the Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance and chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome the mayor and his party to the pier on their visit around Brighton and Hove to see some of the work of the Tourism Alliance.

“It is incredibly important that the city looks its best and equally important to promote the skills of local artists of all genres.

“The city and its businesses have a huge challenge to meet in recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic, and all the work done recently to improve the city’s presentation is a welcome contribution to this effort.”