Bandstand

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Western Bandstand Restoration Brighton Seafront

Project Outline
Brighton & Hove City Council has undertaken the restoration of the Western Bandstand located on Brighton Seafront’s lower esplanade close to the West Pier.  The top level of the Bandstand, the 'Birdcage', has been sympathetically restored back to its original state while the ground floor and basement levels have been converted from public conveniences to a café . The area immediately to the south of the Bandstand is available as a seating area for the café while areas to the east and west are landscaped and are for public access.

History
Designed by Phillip Lockwood, Brighton Borough Surveyor, and completed in 1884 the Western Bandstand is considered to be one of the finest examples of a Victorian bandstand still surviving in England today.  The original design featured a bridge linking the upper promenade with the Bandstand which was removed in the late 1970’s.  The ground floor was used as public conveniences until 2003 when vandalism forced their closure.

Funding & Rationale
The future of this Grade II Listed Bandstand is now secure thanks to the commitment of Brighton & Hove City Council.  The council had originally intended to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to restore the Bandstand.  However, the council decided that the length of time involved in the application process would be to the detriment of the Bandstand.  In order to prevent any further deterioration and to resolve any perceived uncertainty regarding the Bandstand’s future Brighton & Hove City Council agreed to fund the entire project. 

Planning Application
Planning Approval and Listed Building Consent have been granted for the change of use of the lower esplanade level and basement from public toilet to café along with external restoration works to the upper level.  The full planning application including all the plans, drawings and other documents received can be viewed on our website by entering the planning application numbers BH2008/01244 and BH2008/01245 into the Register of Planning Applications

Design Team
The Design Team have been working together on this project since November 2007. ABIR Architects are the lead consultant and are joined by RLF Consultants, Dixon Hurst Kemp, Archer Associates and Fiona Atkinson Landscape Design.  The main building contractor is Cheesmur Building Contractors.

ABIR Architects
RLF
Dixon Hurst Kemp
Cheesmur

Bandstand Café
The cafe tenant has now been appointed following a tender process.  The successful applicant is La Fourchette who operate several catering outlets across Brighton & Hove.  The Bandstand Cafe can be contacted on 01273 227194

Bandstand Events 
A programme of free concerts is taking place throughout the summer:

Sunday 4 July - Marlow Town Band 2-4pm 
Sunday 11 July - Westdene DeciBelles 2-4pm
Sunday 18 July - Celebrating Brighton Bandstand 12-4pm
Sunday 25 July - Hangleton Brass Band 2-4pm
Sunday 1 August - Patcham Silver Band 2-4pm
Sunday 8 August - Busking For Cancer
Sunday 15 August - Rupert's Bearcats Jazz Band 2-4pm
Sunday 22 August - Voice In A Million 2-4pm
Sunday 12 September - Brighton & Hove City Brass -  2-4pm

Any bands interested in performing in 2011 should contact the council's Events Office on 01273 292712.  The Bandstand is also available to hire for civil ceremonies and weddings.  Please contact the Events Office for more information.