Madeira Terrace procurement update to be given at Special Cabinet Meeting

At a Special Cabinet on Monday 12 August Councillor Jacob Taylor will recommend that the Cabinet agrees additional budget to move forward work to restore 28 of the Madeira Terrace arches.

If agreed by Cabinet, an additional £3m budget will be put towards the work to complete Phase 1 of the Madeira Terrace Project

Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration, said:

“We are committed to the restoration of Madeira Terrace and want to proceed with it as soon as possible. That's why we are calling an urgent cabinet meeting to make a decision and get moving.

“The terrace is a treasured part of our unique heritage and, along with Black Rock, the King Alfred and Hove Beach Park schemes, is integral to rebuilding a seafront to be proud of.

“The restoration of such a historic structure is a unique and challenging project that requires highly specialist work, equipment and materials. In a period of cost inflation, the leading tender response came in over budget and we have been working on trying to bring the cost down.

“Some cost savings have been found without significantly reducing Phase 1 and Cabinet will be asked to agree the additional funding and proceed with the planned 28 arches and new fully accessible lift. While this will require more borrowing by the council, it is essential investment for the city and continued regeneration of the eastern seafront.

“The prolonged tender discussions have had an impact on timescales and so we have called a Special Cabinet meeting to speed up the process, rather than wait till next Cabinet in September.”

Background

In December 2023 suppliers were invited to bid to carry out the highly specialist work on the first phase of the restoration of Madeira Terrace. The ‘Invitation to Tender’ laid out the detailed requirements on how the repairs are to be carried out, including which materials must be used and what the finished work will look like.

As well as restoring 28 arches and bays, Phase 1 will also include:

• A new lift - a key component for the scheme that will ensure access for all
• Full replacement of the upper deck with a waterproofed deck, infrastructure for canopies / shades and for pop-up events
• Painting with a system guaranteed to perform better in coastal conditions than traditional materials available to the Victorians
• Refacing and regreening the Green Wall where possible, although much of this will take time to recolonise as the current wall has been there for 150 years and is older than the Terrace itself
• A new staircase down from the deck next to Concorde 2 / Shelter Hall
• Reinstatement of the planted verges at Madeira Drive level
• A more pedestrian friendly layout in front of the Terrace, providing beach access for all and including two new crossing points, and
• Seating to the upper deck encouraging people to sit and enjoy the views.

The new lift will provide 24-hour access and be capable of being used by all.

Further phases of restoration

Madeira Terrace was originally built as a covered promenade and viewing platform to attract tourists in the late 1800s. The Grade 2* listed structure opened to the east of Royal Crescent in 1890 and was later extended to meet the Aquarium.

At more than half a mile, it is considered the longest cast iron structure in Britain.

There has been strong public support for the restoration among city residents and businesses, as well as from heritage organisations such as Historic England and the Victorian Society.

We hope that completing this first phase will showcase how the Terrace can be successfully restored and so help to attract funding for subsequent phases.

Cabinet meeting

Details of the Special Cabinet Meeting on Monday 12 August 2024 can be found on the Committee pages of our website.