Community backs Madeira Terrace campaign in final fundraising push

Jax Atkins' daughter Rebecca Bunker supporting the campaign

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The campaign to kick-start the restoration of the crumbling Madeira Terrace on Brighton's seafront has now hit 73 per cent of its fundraising target with just over two weeks to go.

A recent pledge of £15,000 by local firm Landsec has helped boost the fund up to over £310,000, while a groundswell of public support has seen the campaign attract over 1,500 backers. Of those backers, over 90 per cent are members of the public, rather than organisations.

Howard Barden, head of the city’s tourism unit, VisitBrighton, which is leading the campaign, said: “The campaign has ignited a sense of civic pride around improving the seafront and has seen a number of residents make it their mission to see the campaign succeed.

“Support for the terraces to be restored is evident and we’re now hoping to see businesses step up with some larger pledges in the last couple of weeks. We have done phenomenally well but there’s still another £114k to raise.”

The arches at Brighton's seafront have fallen into disrepair (Photograph: Eddie Mitchell)

Brighton and Hove City Council hopes to raise £428,659 to restore three of the 154 Victorian arches, and demonstrate to potential funders that the restoration has popular local support to attract external funding.

Emily Senior, a Kemp Town resident who is running a 10k race in Brighton on Sunday (November 19) to raise funds for the campaign, said: “It has been heart-breaking to see the Terraces fall into such a sorry state. At first, I felt angry that it had been so badly neglected but putting all that aside, I discovered the crowdfunding campaign and decided to actually do something to raise awareness and funds.”

Also supporting the campaign are residents Jax Atkins and Derek Wright, who have set up a raffle and are working tirelessly to collect prizes and sell tickets with the aim of raising £20,000.

So far they have secured over 500 prizes from local businesses keen to show their support for the cause. Prizes include meals at top city restaurants, overnight hotel stays, spa treatments and gig tickets.