Brighton: North Laine museum regeneration project moves forward

Work on the ambitious plans to reinvigorate the part of Trafalgar Street underneath the pedestrian bridge to Brighton Railway Station started five years ago.

The Toy and Model Museum, in Trafalgar Street, will replace “modern brickwork” which fills its Victorian arches with windows.

It will “regenerate the area by illuminating the street and revealing its unique treasures”, the museum said.

The museum facade plans (Image: BHCC)

The scheme has been funded entirely through donations, allowing the museum to expand its collection to include contemporary collectables – such as Star Wars and Barbie – and improve its visibility.

The Railway Heritage Trust is backing the project and has pledged 40 per cent towards structural costs as well as grants to appoint railway heritage architect Benedict O’Looney to draw up the designs for the new museum facade.

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After three years of fundraising, the museum team is about to realise the results of the hard work with building contractors due to start the preliminary cleaning work to the museum frontage in late October.

“This has been a wonderful project to be fundraising for,” said museum manager Jan Etches.

Museum manager Jan Etches and founder Chris Littledale (Image: Nick Mosely)

“These improvements to the neglected underpass will make it a much better environment for the local community and visitors to the North Laine area and those accessing the railway station.

"The area will be clean, well-lit and the addition of CCTV cameras will make it more welcoming for all to use. It is also a new era for the museum – a shiny new façade showcasing what has otherwise been one of Brighton’s hidden gems."

“We’re looking forward to the improvements this development will bring”, said Kim Curran, from the North Laine Community Association. “We think it will enhance the gateway to North Laine making it safer for residents and more attractive for visitors."

Local bartenders and chefs are supporting the project with a fundraising evening on Friday, September 20 (Image: Julia Claxton)

For the final fundraising push, food group Bite Sussex, is continuing to support the museum with a cocktails and canapés evening on Friday, September 20. Bartenders from Brighton’s Bohemia, Blossoms and Gungho will be mixing up drinks sponsored by Aluna Rum, Arbikie Highland Estate and Dedbest Distillery.

There will be Indian street food snacks from Easy Tiger. Tickets are £37.50 including three drinks and bites and available from www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk.