BRIGHTON AND HOVE.- The charity that owns and operates the historic Royal Pavilion in Brighton has today launched an urgent appeal to close the £10K funding shortfall to restore a 200-year-old dome on the palace’s roof.

Brighton & Hove Museums is asking for support in saving one of the smaller domes on the east side of the Pavilion near the front entrance which has been damaged by water.

Close examination of the domes and minarets of the Royal Pavilion roofline is only feasible when areas of the building are scaffolded for routine maintenance. Contractors were shocked when routine restoration work unexpectedly identified that a crack in the dome’s exterior was letting more water inside than previously thought. On closer inspection, it was revealed that there was significant rotting on the central timber post and framework that support the structure of the dome.

Urgent repairs are now needed as the dome is at risk of collapse. The dome is part of the iconic skyline of the 19th century seaside ‘pleasure palace’ of George IV, which was designed by British architect John Nash and completed in 1823.

Jo Hatwell, Historic Buildings Manager of Brighton & Hove Museums said: “We have been working on the roof of the Royal Pavilion for a number of months carrying out essential cleaning and repairs to the stonework. Although we knew there were certain areas of the render that were weaker that we were monitoring, we were alarmed at just how significant the damage was and the extent of the damage on the wood.

“The domes are an iconic feature of John Nash’s work on the Pavilion, and it is devastating that this has happened. We have to galvanise quickly, but our budgets are currently stretched with the vital work we are carrying out on the Brighton Museum & Gallery roof restoration, so we are appealing for extra assistance to help us fix this small but important dome.”

The Royal Pavilion is a striking example of Regency architecture and is renowned for its exotic domes and roofline, which reflect an eclectic mix of Indian and Chinese influences. Originally built as a seaside retreat for King George IV, the Pavilion's design was significantly influenced by architect John Nash in the early 19th century.

The most distinctive feature of the Pavilion's exterior is its series of onion-shaped domes, reminiscent of Mughal architecture. These domes, particularly the central dome, draw inspiration from Indian palaces, giving the Pavilion an exotic and romantic appearance. The central dome is flanked by smaller domes, each meticulously decorated with intricate details that enhance the oriental aesthetic.

The domes are constructed from a combination of wood and iron, cleverly painted and finished to resemble more traditional materials like stone or stucco.

Architects Julian Harrap have looked at how they might go about fixing the dome quickly, installing a new upper timber post and re-rendering the stonework in situ, a very intricate and difficult process.

Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums said “The domes of the Royal Pavilion remain a striking and iconic example of early 19th-century British architecture, showcasing a unique blend of styles that continue to captivate visitors today. Our conservation team work tirelessly to keep on top of the huge amount of maintenance this 200-year-old building requires, but it is difficult to plan for all eventualities, such as the failure of a stone render. As a charity, our reserves are limited, especially as we have spent the last few years in recovery following the pandemic. We are calling on support to help us close this gap in funding and restore the dome to its original splendour”

Running costs for heritage venues are an ongoing concern for operators across the UK and beyond, especially with rising costs for electricity, supplies and repairs. It costs around £900,000 a year to look after the 200-year-old Royal Pavilion, without the addition of repairs, renovations and upgrading.

Brighton & Hove Museums is a registered charity that relies on donations, grants and admission to operate its five heritage venues which include Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Manor & Garden, Booth Museum of Natural History and Hove Museum of Creativity.

Anyone wanting to help support the appeal and close the funding gap to help save this iconic dome on the Royal Pavilion can donate here.